What’s love got to do with social networking?

Taylor Bembery
Staff Writer

Social networking is one of the most widely used communication platforms in 2013. Some of the most popular include: Instagram, Twitter, Ask.fm, and Facebook. If you run into a student that attends Jackson State University, more than likely they are on a social network.
With “boo weather” approaching, many people are trying to find the solution to having a happy and healthy relationship before they commit to that special someone for cuffing season. So is it possible to have a healthy relationship with social networking involved?

According to helpguide.org, there are four key components in building a healthy love relationship. These components are: staying involved with each other, getting through conflict, keeping outside relationships and interests alive (family & friends), and communicating.

Communicating, which is the most important, explains that you and your significant other should have honest and direct communication frequently. When both people feel comfortable with expressing their needs, fears, and desires, trust and bonds are strengthened.

I feel relationships are built on trust and confidence within your partner. If someone really loves you and claims you to be their boyfriend or girlfriend, they won’t go disrespecting or embarrassing you via social networks. For Example: Tweeting flirtatious or suggestive comments to another person, or answering suggestive sexual comments in their Ask.fm.

There are just certain things you shouldn’t do on social networks when you are in a relationship. If you are going to act like you’re single via social networks, you should be single in real life. However, if your significant other isn’t blatant or guilty of doing wrong, don’t go looking for trouble.
If you are in a committed relationship, you should not be lurking on your boyfriend’s or girlfriend’s social network pages.

Lurking is a term used to define an action of stalking or looking for negative content on someone’s social network pages. If you have trust issues, a relationship is the last thing you should be in.

According to a study in 2009 by Amy Muise, M.Sc., Emily Christofides, M.Sc., and Serge Desmarais, Ph.D. of the Department of Psychology at University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, 308 undergraduate students completed an online survey that assessed demographic and personality factors and explored Facebook use. This study concluded that Facebook makes “unique contributions to the experience of jealousy in romantic relationships.”
I feel social networking doesn’t change or alter relationships, the people in them do. You can have a happy and healthy relationship and still have a Twitter or Instagram.

If you are in a relationship it should be exclusive, elusive, but not invisible to the public via social network. You should let it be known that you are with that special someone but don’t broadcast all your business on your pages.

Being a part of a generation where social networking is used as entertainment and a past time, I think we should not get rid of them because you are in a relationship.

With trust and honesty in your relationship, social networking or outside individuals should not be able to break the bond of you and your partner.

The views expressed in this commentary are those of the writer(s) and in no way represent the views of The Blue & White Flash.