Why You Should Check Social Media as a Couple

There are some things that couples should do separately, such as spending time with separate friends. Then, there are some things that you should do together, at least once in a while. Checking social media is often on the fence here for a lot of people, so what’s the real answer?

No one is saying that you and your partner should share social media accounts, or never do anything separately on social media. The issue here is the social media and smartphone time suck. How often have you sat down to check Facebook “really quickly” and found yourself down a YouTube rabbit hole three hours later, only to look over and see your partner also staring into the digital void?

People lose hours upon hours of the day to social media, viral video sites, and other online time-sucking activities. It’s so easy that it’s almost second nature. Some restaurants and families have even started instituting “phone-free” time at the table to try and encourage people to interact again. If you feel like you and your partner haven’t been connecting like you used to, it might not be a problem in your relationship-- it could well be the problem right in your hands.

Set Boundaries and Schedule Time Together

If you plan to sit down and watch a show together after dinner, leave your phones in the other room or put them on silent and agree not to touch them during the show. Outside of a rare emergency, there’s nothing you’ll miss in the course of a half-hour to an hour that can’t be addressed after your show is finished.

You might even decide that you’ll leave your phones alone for the show you’re watching together, but then once it gets later and you turn on reruns, you’ll allow yourselves to scroll through social media or respond to texts while unwinding before you put the phone away for bed. As long as you’re communicating and not letting social media interfere with your relationship, you’re on the right path.

What About Partners Who Don’t Use Social Media?

Believe it or not, even in this day and age, there are plenty of people who don’t engage regularly in their phones. They might have social media accounts that they check from time to time, but they don’t rely on their phones or the Internet for entertainment and communication like some people do. In this situation, it can be even more dangerous to get lost in the world of social media when you should be spending time with your partner.

Whether we like it or not, we’re jealous creatures. Of course, when your partner is spending hours on social media and other Internet sites, you’re going to feel a little left out. They’re probably not doing anything of importance, let alone anything threatening to your relationship, but over time the jealousy and worry can get out of control and create a lot of problems that may not have been there in the first place. Don’t let the “what if” monster take control of your relationships.

Make a Conscious Effort

You don’t have to drop social media altogether or only get on it once a day at an allocated time. You can set the rules however you like. What’s important is that you do set rules and boundaries regarding social media use in your relationship, including how it impacts your time together. Social media can be entertaining, but dedicated time with your partner can be even more enjoyable-- which matters more?

Facebook and Instagram aren’t going anywhere. Put down your phone. Say hi to your partner, and enjoy an evening together for a change.

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