Technology has transformed the way people interact with each other. In a world where a total of 4.9 billion people have a smartphone, dating can be just a click away. It shortens distances and can help those who have difficulty starting a relationship out of shame, shyness or even lack of time to socialize. However, technology also has its downside. Non-communication has become a trend facilitated by mobile devices and it is not uncommon for a person to simply disappear from the Internet when they are no longer interested. In today’s text, we will talk about 6 digital phenomena that affect today’s couples. Check out!
- How relationships were affected by digital phenomena
- Impact on relationships
- 6 digital phenomena that affect today’s couples
- Care never hurts
How were relationships affected by digital phenomena?
According to experts, technology has changed the way relationships are built and developed. Tools like Tinder or Happn increase the possibility of meeting people with the same tastes almost immediately.
You have countless possibilities at your fingertips. In this way, we can see several different digital phenomena: people who have never met, fall in love virtually.
What is the impact on relationships?
On the other hand, although digital phenomena and technology can unite two soul mates, the accelerated increase in their use has changed the way in which stable relationships are maintained and developed. There is much more openness and less intimacy and there are different challenges to be solved, experts say.
This generates an addiction to be able to follow what is happening in the lives of others, see what they do and what they say. All of this can generate insecurity , dependence and impact on relationships.
6 digital phenomena that affect today’s couples
1. Sexting
Among the digital phenomena, this is the best known. The term is a contraction of the words sex (sex) and texting (text messages). According to a study cited in PsyPost – which analyzes the consequences of this habit in various types of relationships – 8 out of 10 people experience “sexting”.
It is nothing more than an exchange of photos and / or intimate or sexual videos through apps like WhatsApp, Messenger or any social network. It is widely used by couples who have long distance relationships.
Among the positive aspects is the fact that you can spice up the relationship and get out of the routine. However, although it is a very interesting activity for couples who practice it, it can be a high risk experience. Users often lose control of the multimedia content they send to their contacts.
How to make?
If you want to do this practice, be very careful with your confidentiality and talk to your partner so that the photos don’t reach the wrong people.
2. Revenge porn
In a way, it is linked to the previous item. Revenge porn (in English, revenge porn ) is an expression that refers to the act of publicly exposing, on the Internet, intimate photos or videos of third parties, without their consent. This usually occurs after the end of a romantic relationship, when one of the involved parties discloses intimate scenes of the other as a way of “getting revenge” on the old partner. This is probably the most dangerous of the digital phenomena.
In Brazil, the former soccer player and currently Senator Romário presented, in October 2013, a bill that makes improper disclosure of intimate material a crime. In addition, in June 2015, Google began accepting requests from users to remove searches related to revenge pornography.
What to do?
First of all, avoid sending videos or photographs that can identify you, because the person who today looks like your better half, may tomorrow become your complete nightmare. Also, if you are suffering from revenge porn , immediately contact the police.
3. Phubbing
This term – a mixture between the words “phone” and “snubbing” – describes “the contempt for the couple in favor of technology”. How many times have you felt that your partner ignores you for having the cell phone? Many? This is phubbing, the act of ignoring a person and the environment itself, focusing on mobile technology. Its impact on relationships is negative, as confirmed by several studies.
A person who spends a lot of time on his phone makes his partner feel less satisfied and also makes him feel less important.
What to do?
If you don’t want phubbing to affect your love life, try to disconnect more. In this way, you will learn to reconnect with your partner and will be able to live the moment without anxiety or technological concerns.
Ghosting
This habit expanded both in sentimental relationships and in friendship. Although the smartphone speeds up communication and was created, among other things, to keep its users connected, it also offers the option to disappear from another individual’s life.
Do not reply to messages, block contacts or disappear from social networks. These are some of the actions that refer to the practice of ghosting. According to a publication by Verne, it is an attitude that often causes remorse in those who apply it and negative effects on the self-esteem of those who receive it.
5. Nomophobia
It is the irrational fear that a person can experience when his cell phone is not around. Sufferers experience symptoms such as anxiety, headache, tachycardia and even depression.
How does nomophobia affect relationships? According to some studies, this practice makes happiness dependent on a message, connection or some interaction on social networks with the couple. Here attention is through technology and when it is not present, insecurities arise.
Nomophobia can generate greater insecurities and total dependence. The simple fact of leaving home without the device can cause despair. The term comes from the words no-mobile-phone phobia .
What to do?
The suggestion is to increase physical contact and verbal communication with the person you love. Also, try to separate the way you relate intimately to your partner through physical contact and verbal communication. Thus, you will not develop an obsession with knowing everything about him through social networks.
6. Breadcrumbing
The ghoster suddenly reappears to disappear again. This term comes from English, from the word breadcrumb, which means bread crumbs. That is, this behavior is put into practice by people who send minimal signals to their partner or lover, so that he knows they are still there, giving hope that the relationship can progress. However, those who do know that it will never happen.
Why do people practice this kind of thing? It’s like asking why people are terrible – there are many possible reasons. It is a way to keep a dating perspective on hold. It’s kind of like a game: when a person is not interested in you, but interested in staying relevant to you.
Breadcrumbing can be especially infuriating if you are looking for a genuine connection. They waste their time and introduce a sense of falsehood and you really believe there is a connection between the two.
What to do?
If you are experiencing this situation, cut it now. Explain that you know this game and are not interested. Go away and keep walking. There is no rehabilitation for an ego in need of attention. Cutting someone who is tying will make it a lot easier for you in the long run.
Care never hurts
As I said up there, technology can help people a lot to find company, but you need to be aware. These digital phenomena can be directly responsible for disappointments and you can get hurt from a relationship. So stay tuned, take care of your safety and don’t throw all your hopes into someone who may not be worth it in the end.
