Excess of Social Media Can Damage Strong Relationships

Social media may help in extending one's virtual network but it has its disadvantages too. A latest study conducted by researchers from the Oxford Internet Institute states that too much of social media can damage strong relationships.

The study conducted by Dr Bernie Hogan tested media multiplexity i.e. ability to communicate through several communication channels. This was introduced in the year 2005. This theory clearly reveals the association between the numbers of media channels used to communicate, the frequency of use and their effect on relationship ties.

"We are now firmly in the age of digital communication with social media really taking off. We wanted to see if these more diverse communications channels strengthened relationship ties in the digital era," Hogan said in a press statement.

Nearly 24,000 people from 17 European countries in marital relationships took part in this study, using 10 media channels.

According to Medical Daily, the participants were asked to complete a questionnaire that focused on different communication media, including face to face, telephone, mobile phone, email, social network sites, webcams, blogs, virtual worlds, and texting.  Apart from this, they were asked to report their relationship satisfaction. The participants were younger than 65 years.

The researchers noticed that those who were using more media had no greater relationship satisfaction and a few stated decreased satisfaction.

Through this the researchers showed how social media works as a signal of ties of strength in relationships.

The research titled 'Social media: the perils and pleasures' was presented at the Annual Conference of the British Psychological Society.