Technology has become a huge part of every day human life. It is used for almost anything and everything. Cell phones, internet, and social media play into everyone's lives in some shape or form. The rise of technology has had many effects on human relationships especially of the romantic kind. It has had both positive and negative effects on romantic relationships today. Technology makes communication and connection easier, but can also take a toll on actual face to face connection, inhibit the formation of solid romantic relationships, and can also lead to complications due to online dating. 

Technology has brought many positive factors into romantic relationships. In a way, it can help couples stay connected under complicated circumstances such as long distance. Couples are able to text each other and share details about their day so that they do not feel as far away from each other. Rather than sending handwritten letters, text messaging and phone calls have allowed couples to reach each other at any hour of any day which is much more convenient. People use texting to stay connected and the increased availability due to technology may help enhance romantic relationships (Bean, Busby, Coyne, Sandberg, & Schade, 316).  The convenience of communication due to technology has a great positive effect on romantic relationships.

Another positive aspect of technology use in romantic relationships is that it aids in creating intimacy between partners. In their time a part couples are able to share pictures and videos they both find interesting or funny. They can also share other interests with each other such as music, articles, social media links, and other things they may bond over to keep their connection flowing while a part from each other. Couples can instantly share videos, music, photos, and other links which can help to enhance intimacy (Bean, Busby, Coyne, Sandberg, & Schade, 315). Couples may send thoughtful messages to uplift one another and to remind each other that they are thinking one another. Just sharing something via text message or social posts with a partner to show that they are on the others mind can help to keep the intimacy between them alive whether they are spending a few days or months away from each other. Even exchanging simple messages while at school or work can improve intimacy as well because it is a simple way to express love and care for ones significant other. 

Another positive effect technology has made on romantic relationships is that it makes it easier for those who struggle with face to face conversation to form relationships by going online. Many people have difficulty meeting new people and going on dates due to low confidence, shyness, social anxiety, and other emotional holdbacks. Thanks to technology singles are able to find company online that they would normally be able to find in face to face situations. People who struggle with offline relationships often prefer online relationships as a safer medium (Bean, Busby, Coyne, Sandberg, & Schade, 316). There are dating websites, chatrooms, and other online facilities created for people who all struggle in the area of romance and relationships. They are able to connect with others who may share the same interests and hobbies as them and although in real life their person of interest may be long distances away having someone to chat and connect with online can be very satisfying and uplifting. It is healthy for those who feel like they have no hope in face to face relationships to find happiness and comfort in online situations. There is also the possibility that they may meet face to face with the partner they found online and they may connect with them in person as well. Online dating creates opportunities for everyone to have someone, even those who socially introverted. 

Although technology has had a number of positive effects on relationships it has also had negative effects as well. For example, technology has taken away from the value of having a face to face connection with a significant other. Couples who are very into technology tend to lose focus on their loved one because they are always on their phones or computers texting, emailing, calling, or just checking social media. Having a cell phone out at dinner is a very common example of this issue. Not only is having a cell phone out on a date rude in general but it also makes it seem like you are uninterested in your significant other and that you do not value the face to face time you are able to share with him or her. Technology is okay to an extent but when it takes away from the real life connection you have with a loved one then it has become a priority that overrides your significant other and that is never okay. "We can lose our perspective on what's happening in a relationship if we don't take the time to sit with each other and say: "What's happening?"" says author Sherry Turkle (Bonos).  Couples should always take time out of their day to put all technology away and just enjoy each others company one on one. Technology can inhibit genuine conversation and connection in relationships if couples are not careful about when and how often they use it. 

A big negative impact technology has had on relationships is how easy it is now to falsify information in the aspect of online dating. Those who take part in online dating never know it may be on the other side of the conversation. They could be exactly who they say they are but they could also just as easily be someone totally different from what their profile depicts. Online dating users can lie about pretty much anything and everything. They may lie about their appearances, age, gender, occupation, finances, location, interests, etc. Studies found that Cyberspace respondents were more likely to misrepresent their age, physical attractiveness or other physical features (Cornwell & Lundgren). There is really no telling who someone is actually communicating with unless the two people decide to meet face to face. This scenario may play out in two different ways. It could end well for the lucky ones, but it could also end very badly in a number of ways. Firstly, it is disappointing for someone to think they have found someone perfect for them only to meet with them in person to find they are not who they said they were at all. Also meeting with someone whom they have never met in person could be dangerous. They could be a serial killer, rapist, psychopath, or a number of other dangerous things. People today must be extra careful about meeting people online because online users can lie about anything to get what they want and this can be very saddening or dangerous. 

Lastly another negative effect technology has on romantic relationships is that it can stir up many problems and it has changed how people execute solving those problems as well. Texting is where a lot of people go to have serious arguments with their significant other because they may find it easier to get their point across as well as saying things they maybe would not have the nerve to say in a face to face argument. In a way arguing through text has desensitized couples from one another's feelings in the sense that in order to argue or say mean things to each other they can simply send a text instead of looking that person in the eyes and saying what they really mean. Author Lisa Turkle says "We are forgetting that what we're doing online, what we're doing in texting - these are conversations. ... It's becoming more common because we're becoming desensitized." (Bonos). It is much easier for someone to say mean things to their partner through text than it is to say those mean things face to face. Some couples also take their arguments to social media which is never a good idea. This is sharing personal issues partners have between each other with the entire world and can worsen the problem even more. It can be embarrassing and also others may feel the need to share their input which probably does not always help that much either. 

Different people share different views on technology in romantic relationships but the truth is technology is here to stay and it will only become more advanced and popular as time goes on. Although there is nothing that can be done about that, couples can control how big of an effect they allow technology to have on their relationships. It can be a good thing in moderation. Also as far as online dating singles must be careful about who they are communicating and meeting with because even though online dating can be fun and more comfortable for some it can also be very dangerous. 

