The introduction of the internet and technology in the past 20 years has created thousands of possible avenues for any user to venture into. Some are positive, such as making communication easier, accessing information faster, and being able to watch any movie or tv show at the click of a button. But with every positive comes a direct negative. With the internet expanding at such a fast rate, it has opened up easier avenues for illegal trade, communication, and identity theft. As the internet expands, so do the applications that can be found on it. Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok are the most popular social media apps in the US right now; over 95% of American teenagers have at least installed and made an account on one of these apps. Having just celebrated Valentine’s Day, I wanted to explore how the implementation of social media has changed and impacted how American teenagers view and handle love.
Teenagers’ love lives are not the only ones being affected by the creation and evolution of social media. There have been countless dating apps made specifically for middle-aged men and women. However, Snapchat and Instagram, whether the creators know it or not, have become a breeding ground for teen romance. From shifting through quick ads on Snapchat to spamming DMs on Instagram, there are countless ways to interact and communicate with someone you find attractive on the internet. But the downside to this is that not everyone is how they appear on social media.
Social media has reshaped how teen romance begins, oftentimes being the first point of connection that some people may have with each other. Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok make it easy to find new connections and express interest with others. They’ve become the modern way of signaling affection. While this can lower the pressure one might experience while approaching someone, it can also start to mislead people into what feelings and possible commitment people may have towards that person.
Communication within teen relationships has also changed drastically because of social media. Some relationships can stay in contact constantly, sharing what has been happening with each other. This connection can enhance their bond but can also lead to poor feelings when the other person doesn’t respond immediately, if at all. Sometimes this causes stress or insecurity when some people’s expectations are not met or when they feel let down.
Another influence of social media impacting teen romances is comparison. We are often forced to view specifically curated images of other couples that appear happy, drama-free, or even perfect. Seeing these relationships can make us feel dissatisfied with our own relationships. People not involved in relationships often get affected by the amount of comparison social media brings. They get recommended photos of the top 1% of people in terms of attractiveness. This can make people’s types and who they think are attractive unattainable.
Social media has deeply influenced our romance by shaping how relationships start, how they communicate, and how we view love and commitment. While it creates new opportunities for some to find love and connections, it also creates challenges like pressure, comparison, and oftentimes a lot of communication. Understanding how these affect people is half of the battle. The other half is making sure you don’t fall victim and are able to control how you and your partner treat each other.
