Thursday, November 12, 2009

Today’s world is practically dominated by technology. The Internet plays such a big role in society, it would be impossible for it not to play a big role in relationships as well. The question is whether technology helps or hinders people’s relationships.
I have a friend who is currently in a long distance relationship. Her and her boyfriend dated before college and have since been apart at different colleges. This is where technology comes in handy for them. Cell phones, text messages, emails, and iChat or Skype are all ways they can keep in touch without being physically with each other. There is one more medium that can help with their long distance relationship, but it can also be considered controversial in a relationship. That medium is Facebook. Facebook can bring joy to people who want to reconnect with old friends, meet new people, and converse with current friends. But what exactly does Facebook bring to existing relationships, especially those that are long distance? I feel like it just a mode to create jealousy among a couple. Pictures are the biggest instigator. Who wants to see their significant other get tagged in pictures with random girls or guys they do not know? Or wonder what that last wall post about the crazy party meant? The ultimate downfall of Facebook’s presence in a relationship is the dreaded “relationship status.” If you break up and have to make your status as single, be prepared for a torrent of texts, messages, calls, or any other computer-mediated contact asking you what is going on. Sometimes, those calls come before you even know!
Is Facebook really worth the jealousy and fights it could cause among long distance couples? My friend thinks so, as she still has it and her and her boyfriend are still together. I don’t think it is capable of truly breaking apart a relationship, but sometimes it seems to go too far in pushing buttons. This raises a better question: is it better to know all the details or remain sweetly oblivious to the things that could make you mad?

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