Masable
- Magazine Article
Opening thoughts
I attempted to contact Mashable Magazine years prior but did not succeed. To my surprise, a representative asked if I could supply an article on the following headline. I feel they outsourced it to keep overheads down. I found my partner through social media so I could put a personal touch on it while writing this.
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Approach
Dating and relationships are one of the top niches in current times. My goal was to find the words for what people are experiencing every day.
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Result
The representative did tell me they were happy with the work and were ready to publish it, but I still need to check the comments. Making the client pleased was all that mattered.
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The Impact of social media on Relationships and dating culture
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Social media has completely revolutionized the way we interact with one another, especially in dating and relationships. We have access to people and content worldwide, something our ancestors could not obtain. While it can be why you found your soulmate who lives halfway across the world, it has also created new struggles and challenges in our relationships.
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Social media have entirely remodeled how we meet and connect with potential partners. While finding love has proved much too tricky for specific individuals, online dating apps have simplified the process and have become the most popular method for finding love, with over 100 million users worldwide.
During the pandemic, when mixing in public was heavily restricted, meeting someone over a dating app became a more mainstream socializing method. Once upon a time, meeting people online was seen as sad, creepy, or just flat-out dangerous; now, we have TV shows like Catfish, which have been direct beneficiaries. Over 50% of people struggle to make "the first move," plus in today's climate, it can be easily regarded as harassment. Online dating has removed all of this, only providing a pool of people who wish to meet someone.
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However, it has led to a tunnel vision focus on superficial factors like appearance and social status. With that being said, finding someone who likes you as a person rather than what you can provide for them can become a problem; this can be a significant reason for struggles in finding meaningful and genuine connections.
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Another impact social media has had is on long-distance relationships. They are much easier to maintain because of apps like Skype and Facetime; immediate video calls can be achieved whenever you're ready. Facebook and Instagram allow us to share our daily lives/thoughts and have a sense of togetherness even when far apart. On the other hand, this constant connection can lead to a lack of privacy. Having your social media page constantly monitored can lead to feeling trapped, thus straining the relationship.
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Social media has proven that nothing can replace face-to-face communication. It's now easier than ever to send a text or message to your partner, which may suffice in the meantime, but nothing can compare to physical contact. People may rely too heavily on texting or messaging, making having deeper conversations or resolving conflicts challenging.
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These new avenues also create challenges regarding trust and honesty; it has become much too easy to erase infidelity trials. Hiding specific conversations and interactions while partners are blissfully unaware.
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Sadly, over 60% of relationships lead to breakups or heartbreaks. The constant connection makes it harder to move on and can lead to jealousy or insecurity if they see venturing with another person. It's now prevalent for people to stay in contact with ex-partners, which can hinder the growth of finding someone new.
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Finally, social media has created new pressures and expectations regarding relationships. Platforms like Twitter and TikTok have created a sub-genre called "relationship goals." With people posting their perfect partner and perfect life, it can start unrealistic desires. Chasing the perfect image can put unnecessary pressure on individuals, harming mental health.
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In conclusion, social media has profoundly impacted relationships and dating culture, both positive and negative. While it has opened up new opportunities and made communication more accessible, it has also created new challenges and pressures that can strain relationships. Individuals need to be aware of these impacts and use social media responsibly in their relationships