Relationship Journal

More and more individuals are taking advantage of the convenience and adaptability of social media. People seeking employment are now just as likely to come across positions being advertised on Facebook as any of the more traditional outlets. Individuals can interact with their friendship circle 24/7, while everything from social groups to corporate bodies share the same social media platforms to keep in touch with colleagues, stakeholders, and customers. Perhaps the most significant change enacted by social media has been the way it has revolutionized relationships. It has had a powerful impact, but not always in a positive way. Here are some of the pluses and minuses of the way social media has impacted relationships. Positive impact Social media helps to build confidence One of the reasons many people are drawn to social media, especially when it comes to reaching out to prospective partners for romance, is the way it can help instill confidence. If you’ve been naturally shy when relying on traditional dating arenas - such as singles bars or nightclubs - you will be amazed at how your personality can be transformed once you get behind a keyboard and begin sending regular messages to someone you're interested in. International boundaries are transcended People who have been looking for a sexual partner for a relationship may well have grown jaded with hanging around in social settings where they come across the same people, week in, week out. With social media, partnerships can transcend international barriers. There is every possibility you could find yourself connecting with vibrant singles from any country on the globe, shedding your inhibitions as you interact with people from diverse cultures. It's relatively easy to make meaningful connections Unlike bars or superficial nightclubs where it can often be difficult to connect with someone on an emotional level, social media allows you to spend time building a real rapport with kindred spirits. You can take as long as you wish to exchange intimate messages with one of the other site users, establishing a real sense of chemistry and making meaningful and long-lasting connections. Negative impact Temptation lies around every corner One problem with social media is that there is so much choice available to you, literally at your fingertips. It is far from uncommon for site users to get involved in fairly intimate discussions with one particular site user, only to be contacted by somebody else who suddenly seems to be a better proposition. The availability of so many profiles to browse through means there can be a strong temptation to keep browsing, hopeful that there is always going to be someone better a couple of swipes away. Self-esteem is affected Social media has a habit of bombarding users with all sorts of images. Many of these have been doctored with Photoshop, or deliberately chosen because they present the subject in their most favorable light. In short, these are all about bragging to their audience about how fit or physically 'perfect' the subject is. This can have a negative effect on those viewing them, who might have issues with their body image. The online environment presents a superficial picture The online environment, by its very nature, can be flippant. When people meet in offline dating outlets, they can appraise the person who is talking to them quickly, gaining an impression of how genuine they happen to be. With social media, there is far less need for people to be honest when getting to know potential partners. To impress the wide range of singles who are out there, personal descriptions can be exaggerated.