Survival of the Digital: Networking Romance

Abstract

This thesis seeks to understand how social media, through computer-mediated communication (CMC), impacts modern day potential or romantic relationships. The general premise is that people experience greater uncertainty about their relationships and partners after seeking information from social media due to two key unintended consequences: lack of privacy and nonverbal communication. The author used this reasoning to conclude that modern day romantic relationships are significantly harder to maintain compared to relationships prior to the pervasiveness of social media. Through an analysis of related articles and extensive interviews, there is evidence that social media has negative consequences on romantic relationships. However, some evidence shows that it can have a neutral or even slight positive effect depending on how one uses social media within their relationship. Furthermore, most people use social media as a means to connect with friendships not romance, which has been positive. The results of this study show an individual’s intimate relationships are clearly affected when the individual is highly involved with social media. The following discussion highlights the use and impact of other computer-mediated communication devices and implications for future studies.