Marriage has historically been shaped by cultural, social, and technological changes. In the 21st century, one of the most profound influences on marital relationships is social media. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and TikTok have redefined how couples interact and communicate, shaping perceptions of intimacy, trust, and satisfaction. While social media enhances marital bonds through connectivity, shared experiences, and emotional support, it also poses risks, including jealousy, infidelity, comparison, and reduced intimacy. This paper critically examines the benefits, risks, and broader implications of social media use on marriage.
Benefits of Social-Media on Marriage
Enhanced communication and connectivity: Social media bridges communication gaps, particularly for couples in long-distance or demanding work environments. Research highlights that married individuals report improved communication and closeness when they use online platforms to connect with their partners (Happy Marriage Builder, n.d.).
Celebration of Shared Experience: Posting about anniversaries, birthdays, and family milestones enhances social recognition and strengthens a couple’s shared identity. Public acknowledgement reinforces mutual appreciation, which is essential for marital satisfaction (Common Legal Questions, n.d.).
Access to Support Networks: Couples increasingly turn to online forums and groups for advice and encouragement. Digital platforms provide access to relationship tips and support networks, which can be helpful in navigating challenges (FirstCry Parenting, n.d.).
Expressions of Affection: Even subtle digital gestures—such as emojis, posts, or tags—can foster closeness. A recent study found that emojis positively influence perceptions of attentiveness and intimacy, enhancing marital satisfaction (University of Texas at Austin, 2025).
Risks of Social- Media on Marriage
Phubbing and Distraction: Social media can displace face-to-face interaction. “Phubbing,” or prioritizing phones over a partner, has been linked to neglect, loneliness, and reduced marital satisfaction (Roberts & David, 2016; Health.com, 2023).
Jealousy and Infidelity: Social media makes it easy to reconnect with former partners or develop new emotional connections. Studies show that infidelity-related behaviours online—such as secret messaging—negatively correlate with marital satisfaction and increase insecurity (McDaniel & Drouin, 2018; Anna K Law, 2025).
Unrealistic Comparisons: Exposure to curated images of “perfect” relationships fosters unrealistic expectations and comparisons, which can erode self-esteem and marital stability (Demircioğlu & Köse, 2021).
Psychological Distress and Addiction: Excessive social media use often contributes to anxiety, depression, and stress, which affect emotional availability in marriage. Social media addiction has been found to reduce overall life satisfaction among couples (Chadha et al., 2025).
Trust and Surveillance: Some spouses resort to monitoring each other’s online activities, which can generate mistrust and escalate conflict. Snooping behaviours undermine trust and increase relational tension (Family Law Attorney Mesa, n.d.).
Time Displacement and Imbalance: Excessive social media use—especially when one spouse spends more time online than the other—has been associated with increased conflict, marital dissatisfaction, and perceived instability.
Subtle Infidelity Behaviours: Even low-level infidelity-related behaviours—like covert messaging or online flirtation—correlate significantly with lower satisfaction, increased ambivalence, and insecure attachment patterns.
Mediating Mechanisms and Theoretical Insights
Psychological Distress as a Mediator: Addictive social media behaviours often foster anxiety, depression, and stress. These states impair communication and emotional availability, creating a cyclical decline in relationship satisfaction.
Expectancy Violations in Intimacy: Partners naturally expect undivided attention during face-to-face interactions. Phone interruptions violate these expectations—especially in more formal contexts—undermining intimacy and increasing frustration.
Emotional Regulation: Social media habits may exacerbate emotional dysregulation, such as impulsivity or jealousy, which correlates negatively with marital satisfaction.
Synthesis: Pathways of Influence
| Impact Pathway | Effect on Marriage |
| Enhanced Affection | Emojis and shared posts can boost intimacy when used thoughtfully |
| Communication Tool | Facilitates contact and shared experiences, especially for long-distance couples |
| Addictive Distraction | Excessive usage and phubbing erode attention and satisfaction |
| Emotional Discord | Social comparison and jealousy damage self-esteem and marital contentment |
| Trust Undermined | Infidelity-related behaviours and surveillance promote conflict and distrust |
| Psychological Toll | Social media-induced distress undermines partner responsiveness and intimacy |
Implications for Couples and Therapists
To leverage benefits while mitigating harm, couples and counsellors might consider:
Establishing Digital Boundaries: Agree on phone-free times (e.g., meals, evenings) to preserve in-person presence and avoid phubbing.
Communicating Expectations: Set shared norms about posting, messaging ex-partners, and acceptable digital behaviours to prevent misunderstandings.
Focusing on Quality, Not Quantity: Prioritize meaningful online interactions—such as supportive messages or emojis that signal emotional presence.
Monitoring Usage Patterns: Be alert to signs of addictive usage and address it through self-awareness or professional support.
Cultivating Offline Intimacy: Complement digital connection with face-to-face quality time to reinforce affection and understanding.
Conclusion
Social media exerts a dualistic influence on marriage. On one hand, it supports communication, affection, and shared experiences, strengthening bonds between spouses. On the other hand, excessive or irresponsible use can fuel jealousy, infidelity, comparison, and mistrust, leading to marital strain. The benefits or risks of social media in marriage depend largely on how couples use these platforms. By setting boundaries, communicating openly, and prioritizing quality time, couples can harness the positive aspects of social media while minimizing its risks.
References
Abbasi, I. S., Demircioglu, M. K., Köse, A. G., Kuss, D. J., & Griffiths, M. D. (2021). Exploring the association between social media addiction and relationship satisfaction: Psychological distress as a mediator. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 19(3), 686–698. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-021-00658-0
Anna K Law. (2025). How social media contributes to marital breakdowns: Infidelity, distractions, comparisons. https://annaklaw.com/social-media-marital-breakdowns
Chadha, L., Sharma, P., Kaur, R., Arya, I., & Sharma, P. (2025). The impact of social media addiction on self-esteem and life satisfaction among married couples. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 14(5), 123–135. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12088574/
Common Legal Questions. (n.d.). The impact of social media on marital relationships and divorce. https://commonlegalquestions.com/the-impact-of-social-media-on-marital-relationships-divorce
Family Law Attorney Mesa. (n.d.). The effects of social media on relationships and divorce. https://familylawattorneymesaaz.net/arizona/divorce/social-media-effects
FirstCry Parenting. (n.d.). Positive and negative effects of social media on family and marriage. https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/magazine-effects-of-social-media-on-family-and-marriage
Happy Marriage Builder. (n.d.). Social media and marriage: How to navigate it. https://www.happymarriagebuilder.com/social-media-and-marriage
Health.com. (2023). What is phubbing and how does it affect relationships?. https://www.health.com/what-is-phubbing-relationships-8418651
McDaniel, B. T., & Drouin, M. (2018). Do you have anything to hide? Infidelity-related behaviors on social media sites and marital satisfaction. Computers in Human Behavior, 66, 88–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.09.031
Roberts, J. A., & David, M. E. (2016). My life has become a major distraction from my cell phone: Partner phubbing and relationship satisfaction among romantic partners. Computers in Human Behavior, 54, 134–141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2015.07.058
University of Texas at Austin. (2025, July 2). Emojis improve relationship satisfaction. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2025/07/02/lifestyle/the-key-to-solving-your-relationship-problems-might-come-down-to-your-emojis-new-study-reveals
Utah State University. (2015, June 23). USU study connects some social media use to marital dissatisfaction. Utah State University Newsroom. https://www.usu.edu/today/story/usu-study-connects-some-social-media-use-to-marital-dissatisfaction
