In today’s world, everything and everyone seems to be on-line. Everything from grocery and clothing shopping, to scheduling doctor appointments is done on the computer. While the convenience of doing so has been touted as a time and money saving way to conduct day-to-day tasks, it has also had a negative effect on many aspects of life, including our own personal relationships.
When one is searching for a friend or is hoping to meet a potential future mate, there use to be a variety of ways and places to meet other people. Everywhere from the neighborhood grocery store to church, there were many opportunities to meet new people. Now, with the advent of social networks, it is possible to shop for new friends and future mates on countless websites. Sadly, the on-line world is fraught with the possibility of meeting someone who is not who they present themselves to be. People can hide behind a fake profile picture and come up with any background they desire in an effort to either put their best foot forward or, worse, to mislead an unsuspecting person into either confiding personal information in order to steal an identity or for even worse intentions.
There are countless numbers of victims who have been lured into dangerous situations due to their falling for the false promises of those who used the internet to deliberately lure victims. However, there are other ways that the on-line world can wreck havoc in relationships. Even if someone is married or in another committed relationship, the lure of instant gratification through on-line connections can often become addictive to many people.
Facebook and similar sites have often been implicated in helping to bring about the demise of many relationships. Often, one partner will become drawn into the world of social media without even realizing that they are shutting out those who are actually physically present in their lives. It may begin with simply checking newsfeeds and updates. Then the ‘friends’ lists grows as the desire to add more and more people becomes a temptation too difficult to ignore. Then one may feel that they must comment or ‘like’ their friends’ posts or feel like they aren’t being attentive enough.
The trouble creeps in when the urge to spend time on-line becomes more compelling than having more meaningful conversations with family and loved ones. If these on-line friends then begin to reach out through private messaging, then it is even more tempting for lines to be crossed. Even if these communications do not go beyond on-line contact, the idea that emotional bonds are being created with an outside party does not help nurture a real-life relationship. Sadly, many couples have split up over the fantasy that the on-line helped create.
Even relationships between real-life friends and children have been weakened because of the draw of virtual friendships. While it isn’t likely that social media will disappear, maybe we should all work harder to make sure that those whom we love never become second in our lives.
Writer Bio: Angela Mose
I am a mom of 7 who has successfully homeschooled for 20 years. I was married for more than 25 years and have recently started my life over. I have a passion for writing and music and when the two can be combined, it is utopia. A Maryland native, I am planning to relocate north in the near future and will continue to strive to learn and experience new things on a regular basis. I am fortunate enough to be able to work from home while exploring new ways to increase my knowledge and skills and help improve the lives of those around me.
