For many young adults, these digital habits are no longer side behaviours. They are central to how relationships begin and develop. As social media platforms and dating apps become embedded in daily life, researchers are examining whether these tools strengthen romantic connections or quietly undermine them
According to a recent article in Psychology Today, social media can both support and strain relationships, depending largely on how it is used.
The article explains that while platforms allow couples to stay connected across distance through messaging and shared content, increased time online is also associated with higher feelings of loneliness, particularly when usage is passive such as scrolling rather than interacting.
Digital access and emotional impact
Dating apps have significantly expanded how people meet. Research from the Pew Research Center shows that 53% of adults under 30 in the United States have used a dating site or app. This accessibility widens social circles and creates opportunity. However, constant visibility into a partner’s online activity, including likes, follows, and comments, may also increase insecurity or suspicion.
One Griffith College student, who asked not to be named, said social media can make small things feel bigger than they are. “If you see your partner liking someone’s photo late at night, it can trigger doubt even if nothing is actually wrong,” they said. “You start overthinking things you might never question offline.”
The Psychology Today article notes that social media jealousy and monitoring behaviours are linked to lower romantic satisfaction over time. When online interactions become a source of comparison or mistrust, relationship quality may decline.
The TikTok below reflects how many young adults describe experiencing jealousy and anxiety linked to online behaviour in relationships.
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZThWPWBFj https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZThWPtS2S
Communication in the digital age
Another concern raised by researchers is the shift in communication style. Text based conversations lack tone, facial expression and immediate feedback, all of which are central to healthy conflict resolution.
Dr Sherry Turkle, author of Alone Together, has argued that technology can create a feeling of connection while limiting vulnerability. In her TED Talk, she suggests that people increasingly expect more from technology and less from each other:
When disagreements happen over message rather than face to face, misunderstandings may escalate more easily.
Unrealistic expectations and comparison
Curated posts often portray idealised versions of relationships. Highlight reels of anniversaries, gifts and holidays can subtly shape expectations, leading individuals to compare their own relationships to filtered online standards.
However, social media is not inherently harmful. It can provide support networks, help long distance couples maintain closeness, and create new pathways to connection. The difference appears to lie in intentional use.
Experts suggest setting boundaries, communicating openly about online behaviour and ensuring that digital interaction complements rather than replaces real world connection.
Social media may not be replacing relationships altogether, but it is undeniably reshaping how they begin, how they are maintained and sometimes how they end.
