It is the season of love, and throughout this month, we see couples posting about each other all over social media. These relationships seem to be full of light, love and admiration for one another. But are these bonds truly authentic or just a show? 

Can we really trust social media to accurately portray personal connections? Personally, I believe social media is gradually destroying romance.

Relationships used to be genuine and organic. In recent years, social media postings have dominated the modern-day, with individuals focused on how many likes they can get and how aesthetic their sharing’s can be. Studies have found that when people receive less likes/comments on social media, they tend to feel greater distress and depressive symptoms, according to the National Library of Medicine. 

Couples are eager to post their lives online so they can receive social validation from others. They want to feel like they have others’ approval, and they want people to know that they have the “perfect” relationship. 

Yet these constant picture-perfect posts only lead to more artificial relationships that lack genuineness. Instead of living in the moment and focusing on the person in front of them, individuals are more worried about the “look” of their relationship, which hinders the strength of the overall bond.

Social media posts aren’t the only way romance is being destroyed. The way couples interact online also leads to conflict within the relationships. 

The Pew Research Center found 34% of 18 to 29-year-old’s have had feelings of uncertainty or jealousy because of the way their partner interacts with others via social media. Everyone has different boundaries and comfort levels. Some may feel uncomfortable with their partner following their ex online, while others may not see a problem with it.

On top of that, the inaccuracy of social media relationships can also negatively impact those who are single. It is so easy to see things online and compare yourself to what you’re seeing. Another study done by the Pew Research Center found that people tend to experience self-consciousness and envy when they see others in their life in “happy” relationships. 

Social media is destroying the beauty of relationships. Worrying about how you are perceived online instead of focusing on the people in your day-to-day life is slowly taking the beauty away from legitimate love. 

Rather than trying to gain acceptance from people you barely speak to online, individuals should want to strengthen their love for those who they interact with every day. 

Social media is far from the truth and trying to pretend your life is picture-perfect only leads to more problems and less romance. Relationships are between two people, not between two people and the rest of the world.