A study has revealed that couples who always post on social media are less happy than those that don't post. The study was conducted by the University of Kansas and surveyed over 300 couples.
Couples that are genuinely happy do not need validation from social media to prove how happy they are. They don't need to show-off, make anyone else jealous, or keep tabs on their significant other. They're so secure and content in the relationship that there's no need to gush about it.
Mismatched affection
One of the lovers looks distant and not so happy about being photographed — repetitively (not just in one photo). Or one partner is tightly hugging the other, while the other just looks limp like a wet noodle.
Many of us look at happy couples online and compare, wondering if their relationship is happier or deeper than ours. However, research from Northwestern University found that individuals who posted excessively about their partner on social media felt more insecure with their relationship.
They have no pressure to post
Even when they have the picture or video to post, they will only post it whenever they feel like it. This is because they neither need any external validations to assure them that they are happy nor have any pressure to accommodate the online image people “want” them to live under.
Remember that him not posting pictures of you doesn't necessarily mean that he's being unfaithful. You want to look at other patterns, such as if you've caught him in other lies, if he won't take steps to commit to the relationship, or if he generally acts suspicious.
The study suggests that “trust issues” could be causing these unhappy couples to post more often on social media — the number one reason for couples sharing their relationship online was to express that they or their partner is “taken.”
Some of the most popular social media red flags are relationship status, explicit content, they don't follow back, or they do not post pictures of themselves!
One of the silent red flags in a relationship is partners avoiding confrontation or conflict. Your partner should be your safe space, providing you a sense of comfort. If you hesitate to have difficult conversations or express yourself in front of them, then it's a sign of an unhealthy relationship.
If your partner isn't posting about you, it could be because they're not comfortable with sharing such personal details online. It could also be because they don't want to make their relationship public. Ultimately, it's best to have a conversation about this with your partner so that you can both be on the same page.
It could be new territory for them. Maybe they've never had a long-term SO to post about. Or maybe they have dated seriously in the past, but have never posted about an SO. Your partner might have the capacity or the urge to make cute Insta posts about you, but not know how to proceed (or that it's something you want).
'Pocketing', or 'Stashing' is when someone you're dating hides you from their friends and family and is, unsurprisingly, a very toxic practice. Your partner has made a conscious decision not to introduce you to their inner circle and it includes real life and on social media.
It can be defined as divulging too much personal information, feelings, or experiences to your partner, often without considering the boundaries of the relationship or the effect it could have on the partner. While sharing is essential to any healthy relationship, oversharing can cause discomfort and awkwardness.
“At the end of the day, being able to spend time with your partner in person is what matters the most,” says. “If you are happy in your relationship and love being with your partner, if you follow them on social media or not shouldn't matter.
Social media can impact relationships by decreasing the amount and quality of time spent together. If someone is engrossed in social media, they are likely to miss or get irritated with a partner if they're interrupted.
The Red Flag emoji 🚩, officially known as Triangular Flag, depicts a triangular red flag on a pole. Because a triangular red flag is often used to signal danger, this emoji is commonly used to refer to dangerous situations or to warn people of bad ideas or potential problems.
However, if your boyfriend follows random girls on Instagram or the women he follows far outnumber the men, then it is definitively a red flag. One that you shouldn't take lightly. It's best to address this issue right in the beginning rather than lamenting that Instagram is ruining my relationships later.
Red flags in a guy or girl can be signs of narcissism, aggression, victimization, or even abusive behavior. By becoming aware of some common red flags, you can avoid getting involved in a toxic relationship.
Most people who don't post about their significant other on social media are unsure of their relationships. They have not concluded if the person they are with is actually the right person for them. They are still taking their time to make a final decision before bringing their relationships to the public.
The social media effects on relationships statistics show that one in every seven divorces now involves social media. Also, we have learned from the studies that the use of social media is contributing to infidelity, jealousy, conflicts, and eventually divorce or separation.
A study published in Computers in Human Behavior found a link between social media use and decreased marriage quality in every model analyzed. The study results predict that people who do not use social media are 11 percent happier in their marriages than people that regularly use social media.
The individual is taking time to unplug.
In recent years, the concept of "unplugging" or spending time without technology has gained a ton of steam. The idea is, when you get off Facebook or other social media, you get to reconnect with yourself and others and remember what's really important.
Firstly, posting about a relationship can be a bit personal and many people prefer to keep their relationships private. Secondly, some guys may be worried about how the relationship will be perceived by their friends or the public, and they don't want to risk judgement or criticism.
“One woman mentioned how not having social media made her more curious about who I was and what I do, which sparked great conversation. So far, the majority of the dates I have been on have had the same reaction and a few girls have even told me they prefer dating someone without social media,” says Anderson.