What kind of relationship are we talking about here? Is it romantic? Friend-zones? Family? Acquaintance? Or what? If I am to go ahead to point out my opinions, then I would love to talk about the general relationships that involve all aspects of our daily lives.
The technology era has made everything possible to the extent that we don't have to wait years before communicating or seeing each other when social media has made it more efficient, convenient, and possible. You just need a smartphone and data to keep life going and having fun by staying active online.
But the age of technology is not without its advantages and disadvantages. Let's take an average family of five (5) as an example, when all families have social media accounts and everyone can easily connect even without being together, it keeps the family engaged and bonded, but it leaves the gap between seeing each other one-on-one and having that perfect moment together because in some ways, not seeing each other could make them keep some things bothering them and just “I'm fine” may not be the truth when you can't see the expression on their faces.
People all over the world create and develop dozens of relationships throughout their life. However, the strongest bonds are usually found in family relationships.
Before the introduction or advent of technology, family bonding was very different. It involves one-on-one conversations with each other and from what I could deduce from this, family interaction was on a more personal and deep level back then.
Also before social media, relationships between two partners were more of a smart and convenient one as both parties would always see each other, and connect more physically to share bonds and personal stuff. I would say relationship back then was awesome compared to now.
Now in the 21st Century Family, it becomes very rare to see meaningful one-on-one conversations because everything is done on social media. The question now should be “Is such a relationship or interaction enough than seeing physically?”
Families and friends now spend time posting pictures and updating each other on statuses. This has surely created a big distance since everyone believes they are fine judging from what they post and share online.
Reducing physical distances: You would want to believe me when I say a long distance relationship is not easy, especially if you live very far from your family or partner, but still social media has helped both to connect and feel close to each other through communication and interaction via social media.
Better understanding: When you find a person's profile, it often acts as a Snapshot of a person's personality. A person's profile displays likes, dislikes, habits, opinions, interests etc. With this view, it can help new friends understand someone better and decide if they would like to enter into a relationship or not because it is important to scrutinize a person for the first time before wanting to start a relationship with such a person.
Staying in touch: Yoruba will say “twenty children cannot play for twenty years”. This simply means, in my way that, we all would move from a particular place to start a new life somewhere else. It is just like graduating from a college to a university to begin life with different people. Social media has made it possible to keep in touch with those you started life with or with which you have distanced yourself.
Me, I still stay and keep in touch with my childhood friend, all thanks to social media.
Another good side is creating memories, especially on Facebook where it reminds you of pictures you have taken many years ago, probably with a family member or a friend. t
Then the last I will say on this part is social media creates a bond with each other.
For the bad sides of social media on relationships. There can never be a good side without the bad side of something, and I will be sharing some of what I could lay my mind on.
Social media can be addictive and this can ruin or damage relationships. In a situation where you need to meet someone, maybe a family member or your partner and because you have been addicted to talking and communicating together online, you feel like there's no big deal in seeing each other. It drastically ends a relationship and cut off any connection between you and the other person.
It can also cause jealousy, dissatisfaction, and discontent for people who only see one-sided parts of another person but fail to see the other side.
Infidelity: Social media can be a safe channel for partners to cheat on themselves since both of them wouldn't know what is going on behind the scene.
Also, it can cause mental health when it is very easy to forget the blurred line between social media and the teal world, and you find it difficult to struggle to prioritize the right one.
Thanks for reading
