How exactly does the Internet hurt relationship development and maintenance? Might the web be potentially dangerous for even the healthiest of relationships? The following list outlines some primary ways Internet connection can complicate romantic relationships.
Too many choices
Finding the perfect partner is a critical relationship hurdle, and online dating sites offer an appealingly wide assortment of potential partners. Sometimes, however, more choices create more problems. People flounder when encountering a large choice set of potential partners and ultimately make choices that are less aligned with their ideal mate preferences. There’s also some reason to suspect that happiness with partner choice might be less when the options are so many.
Online dating brings people together, but usually not forever
Some couples will meet online and live happily ever after, but the general pattern suggests otherwise. It turns out that marriage is more often an outcome for couples who meet offline than those who meet online. Couples who meet online also suffer more breakups and divorces compared to those whose relationships started offline. These data underscore the need for careful discernment during the dating process. If you’re looking to date, the Internet might be a great start, but if you’re looking for long-term love, engaging in offline pursuits may be a more successful strategy.
Facebook use predicts romantic jealousy
Spending time on Facebook may seem like a harmless pastime, but it actually predicts a variety of negative relationship experiences, including jealousy. Jealousy can be lethal in relationships, undermining trust and lessening positive relationship behaviors.
Partner monitoring and surveillance
With social-networking sites, people have new ways to keep track of their romantic partner, an ease of surveillance that may create unhealthy habits. According to recent research (Muise, Christofides, & Desmarais, 2014), when women feel jealous, they spend more time searching their partner’s Facebook profile, possibly seeking information to confirm or deny their suspicions. Partner monitoring is particularly heightened for individuals with anxious attachment. Read more
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