Although social media has many positive benefits, it has the potential to wreak havoc on a relationship.
Even though technology has made it easier to communicate, it can also create misunderstandings and misinterpretations with dire consequences. Technology can be a major distraction in modern marriages, with social media, online games, and other digital distractions competing for our attention. If one partner spends too much time on their phone or computer, it can create feelings of neglect and resentment in the other partner.
Knowing the pros and cons of technology is certainly relevant in current times. However, it often goes unmissed that everyone is responsible for their own experiences and outcomes. The positive impacts that one person has from technology will not apply to someone who misuses technology or uses it in a manner that is not conducive to their well-being. Likewise, an individual who uses technology to further themselves professionally will have a different outcome from a person who has an addiction to social media. It is all dependent on the ways technology is used. Like all tools, technology can reap great benefits or tragic outcomes in marriage.
Cons
Internet Addiction: Too much of a good thing is almost always problematic, and technology is no exception to this rule. For as much as technology can improve lives, too much intake also has the power to ruin lives. Forming relationships solely related to technology can provide a false sense of intimacy since it becomes very easy for people to lie about who they are. To this day, many individuals are living with addictions to technology in one form or another, whether it is video games, YouTube, or other social networking sites.
Text messages and emails can be misinterpreted: The lack of tone and body language in digital communication can lead to misunderstandings. If one partner spends too much time on their phone or computer, it can create feelings of neglect and resentment in the other partner.
Negatively Impact Overall Family Time: Technology can have an overall negative impact on family time. Issues associated with less time spent with children because of factors like excessive time using different types of technology nearly always has an associated impact on the health and wellbeing of a marriage itself.
Real relationships require real conversation, real engagement and real emotion: When we text, e-mail, Facebook, and the like, we lose a vital piece of relationships: the emotional connection. When conversations between family members are constantly interrupted by technology, it is difficult to “be in the moment”. There is a certain emotional detachment that comes along with using technology without certain aspects of face-to-face relationships. This emotional detachment can lead to detachment, rudeness or outright dismissal. When someone does not have to sit down with someone and see their facial expressions, nonverbal clues, etc., it is easier to make statements that they would not make in person.
Create Jealousy and Mistrust in relationships: With alarming frequency, technology results in the creation of an atmosphere of distrust in a marriage. For example, a spouse might spend time on social media or texting, endeavours that focus on select individuals. Even when there is nothing untoward in any relationship by this spouse, if this type of technology-based interaction continues to increase in regularity, an atmosphere of distrust truly can develop in what amounts to a fairly short period of time. Seeing your partner interact with others online can be difficult, and social media can make it easy for people to reconnect with old flames or engage in inappropriate behavior.
Rob a Married Couple of Valuable Time Spent Together: Perhaps the most frequently occurring way in which technology can have harmful effects on a marriage is robbing a couple of time together. Time and again, technology of different types can be found significantly occupying the time of one or both spouses, ultimately limiting time spent between the married couple themselves.
It can strain marriages: If one partner spends too much time on their phone or computer, it can create tension and conflict in the relationship.
Destroy the Home and Work Barrier: The destruction of the home and work barrier is not a situation that impacts only marriages. The destruction of the home and work dividing line as the result of technology is a ubiquitous problem around the world. When the home and work barrier is breached, a variety of negative consequences occur. Among them is a truly negative impact on a marriage.
Damage Intimate Time Together: A spouse (or both spouses) spends an inordinate amount of time utilizing certain technologies at the expense of intimate time with a marital partner. The overuse of technology can result in the generation of an air of distrust as discussed. The overuse of technology can cause anger and other negative emotions between spouses, resulting in an untenable rift within a marriage.
Tips for managing technology in your marriage
Set boundaries: It is crucial to set boundaries around technology use in your relationship. Agree on times when you will put away your phones and other devices and focus on each other.
Communicate Effectively: Technology has made it easier than ever to stay in touch with your partner, whether you are in the same room or on opposite sides of the world. Text messaging, video calls, and social media platforms can help you stay connected throughout the day, which can maintain the bond between you and your partner.Make sure you communicate effectively, both online and offline. When sharing online, be clear and concise, and attempt to avoid misinterpretations.
Build trust: Trust is essential in any relationship, and social media can undermine trust if not used carefully. Be honest and transparent about your online activity, and avoid behavior that could create jealousy or mistrust.
Seek help when needed: If you are struggling with communication or other issues in your marriage, don’t be afraid to seek help. There are many resources available, including relationship advice, marriage counseling, and self-help tools.
Pros
Increased productivity: Technology can also help couples manage their busy lives more efficiently. Shared calendars, to-do lists, and other productivity tools can help you stay on top of your responsibilities and make time for each other.
Greater access to information: With the help of technology, couples can access a wealth of information on relationship advice, marriage counseling, and self-help tools. This can be especially useful for couples who stand struggling with communication or other issues in their marriage.
Opportunities for shared experiences: such as watching movies or playing games together online. The amazing technology has been helping people feel closer as if they’re just on the other room. Couples can still bond and have fun even if they are miles away
Improved communication: Technology allows couples to stay in touch through video calls, instant messaging, and social media, even when they are physically apart.
Enhanced long-distance intimacy: Technology can help couples maintain intimacy and sexual connection. They can still be intimate through sexting, video calls, and virtual reality experiences. Aside from that, spending time talking, laughing, updating each other, and even seeing each other can contribute to enhanced intimacy.
Increased social support: Technology can provide access to social support and community. Through these online groups, forums, and social media, they can share, open up, and even help people who may be experiencing hardships in life. Sometimes, being there for someone and having someone to talk to can make a tremendous difference in one’s life.
Conclusion
It is important to know how technology interferes with your daily interactions with other people and nip it in the bud before it gets worse. Spending a fair amount of time on these platforms is one thing, but when technology begins to interfere with individuals’ abilities to engage with others in the real world, this is when issues arise. For as much good as technology can do, it should never become so powerful in someone’s life that they are psychologically dependent upon it. The impact of technology in relationships will ultimately depend upon who is using technology and their specific endgames.
PROF. FREDERICK KASESE
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