Abstract

The increasing penetration of social media into everyday life has significantly altered the dynamics of human relationships, particularly within marriages. While social media offers the potential for enhanced connectivity and communication, its impact on marital relationships is far from benign. This paper explores the emotional destruction caused to married couples due to excessive social media usage. It draws upon extensive research and real-world observations to examine both the positive and negative aspects of social media's influence on marriages. Social media has facilitated communication in long-distance relationships and provided platforms for individuals to stay connected with family, friends, and partners. However, the emotional destruction within marriages is often a direct result of the time, energy, and emotional investments diverted into online interactions. Couples may experience emotional distance, leading to weakened emotional intimacy, as partners often find themselves preoccupied with virtual interactions instead of nurturing real-life connections. This emotional gap can be exacerbated by jealousy, comparisons with idealised relationships, and a lack of face-to-face communication, all of which are facilitated by the hyper-connected nature of social media platforms. Moreover, social media's role in infidelity cannot be ignored. The ability to reconnect with past relationships or communicate with strangers increases the potential for emotional or physical affairs, leading to a breakdown in trust, one of the cornerstones of any marriage. Additionally, the constant exposure to online portrayals of perfect relationships can generate feelings of inadequacy, lower marital satisfaction and contribute to conflicts. The addictive nature of social media further compounds these issues, with partners withdrawing emotionally, leaving the relationship vulnerable to neglect and resentment. This withdrawal, paired with online distractions, often leads to disputes over the amount of time spent on digital platforms. The emotional consequences of these issues include feelings of betrayal, anger, frustration, and loneliness. Despite these challenges, the article suggests strategies for couples to manage the emotional impact of social media. Setting boundaries around social media use, engaging in quality in-person interactions, and fostering open communication about online behaviour are crucial steps toward mitigating these negative effects. Ultimately, couples need to balance their digital lives with their real-world emotional connections, ensuring that social media enhances rather than hinders the quality of their marriage.

Keywords