Don’t think social media has anything to do with your romantic relationships? Think again.
Social media can be incredibly invasive. You can use your smartphone to cyber-stalk your partner to your heart’s content – and of course, you’re going to find something from the past, like an ex-girlfriend or even something he’s liked – that you don’t agree with.
If you want to maintain a healthy relationship with your partner, there are a few social media boundaries to implement. Read on to learn what they are.
1. Don’t post everything online
When you’re in love, you want to show off – it’s just natural. But your partner might be way more of a private person than you are. Maybe he doesn’t want you to share that selfie of the pair of you lying in bed together. Take a rain check before you start posting stuff to check you’re both on the same page.
2. Remember that life exists beyond your phones
Most of us couldn’t imagine having to give up our phones for even a day. But mobile devices can put a divider between couples. When you’re with your partner, you need to make sure you’re prioritizing him over your social media updates. Try arranging a weekly no-phone date where you can simply enjoy each other’s company.
3. Don’t cyber-stalk your partner
You don’t need to be a genius to understand why cyber-stalking your partner is a terrible idea. Letting your other half have his privacy is important. There’s no reason why you need to read his every message to his mates or his mum, after all. If you genuinely can’t trust the guy, you need to consider why you’re even with him in the first place.
4. Don’t cross the line online
There are plenty of rules you might have in your relationship: don’t flirt with other people, don’t say disrespectful things behind your partner’s back, and so on. These rules often get forgotten when you use social media, but they’re just as important. If you wouldn’t do it in real life, don’t do it online.
5. Set texting expectations
It sounds a little silly, but the frequency that your partner texts you back is actually a very common cause for disagreement. Some people use their phones more than others, which means they’ll naturally be quicker text-backers. It’s best to set expectations early in the relationship instead of silently feeling disappointed that your partner only texts you twice a day, or overwhelmed that he texts you twice an hour.
6. Communicate
Perhaps the most important point of all is this: communicate with your partner if something’s wrong. Maybe one person embarrassed the other online without intending to. If that’s the case, talk about it calmly to prevent the situation from happening again. Equally, if you come across something “fishy” online, don’t fester over it – just reach out to your partner and ask for an explanation. Jumping to conclusions will get you nowhere.
If you want to prevent social media from damaging your relationship, start with the tips in this article.
There’s plenty more advice to be found online if you think you need a little more guidance. If you learn better by listening, check out the video below by KayxSasha for more social media and dating dos and don’ts.
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