Digital Media Concepts/Technology and its Influence on Romance.

Technology and its Influence on Romance

Technology has evolved and become a motivator in how people approach romance in their relationships. Expanding the strength of communication and intimacy, technology has discovered a new path that strengthened the use of social media in ways, never seen before.

Historical Context

Throughout what history had in store for us, technology redefined the norms of relationships. Transforming the way people would interact, communicate, and value each other. The invention of the telephone in the late 19th century began what would change society forever. With the success of the computer and the development of the WEB, no one would see where things will end up. During the late 20th century, the WEB allowed people all over the world to communicate through emails, chat rooms, and even online forums. Eventually, the early 2000s would continue to spark and lead to endless ways of communication that shaped the use of technology.

Icons of modern day social media platforms

Social Media and Relationships

As the web continues to develop and technology continues to grow stronger and stronger. Social Media evolved as well. Current platforms like Instagram and Facebook allow individuals to post their significant other and maintain communication outside of text messages and phone calls. Social Media allows everyone to post their life publicly with the option to display their relationships as well.

There are many dark thoughts all over the internet. The majority can be found on social media. In many instances, videos or photos often implement the idea that your significant other is either cheating or any other bad actions. This can give the wrong idea and mess with one mentally.

Social media contains many challenges that can involve jealousy through other relationships, messages that can be hidden, and overall a bunch of terrible practices that can hinder the status of your relationship.

Online Dating and Matchmaking

Out with the old, in with the new. Ditching the old-school chat rooms to find love. Online platforms were developed dedicated to finding love. With 20th-century platforms such as Match.com and eHarmony bursting into prosperity, came their successors Tinder and Bumble.

These platforms made finding love a piece of cake by pairing individuals with similar interests and preferences. The concept of creating an account filled with information and photographs of yourself would allow others to match together based on values and attraction.

These apps would use these profiles and allow other users to swipe left or right. Left indicates rejection, and vice versa, right indicates acceptance. ‘

iMessage Logo

Apple Inc. Logo

Communication and Intimacy

Technology has contributed to society’s communication a drastic amount. From sending codes through computers, and Apple Inc’s creation of iMessage and FaceTime, these developments have allowed all different varieties of relationships to strive through messaging and video calling.

Many extra tools can be utilized which include sending links, photos/videos, emojis/gifs, and even voice messages to spark the conversation.

Ever since the creation of digital products, we can often see the younger generation glued to their devices. Some may argue, that younger users often rely on their devices rather than learning or using their voice.

FaceTime Logo

Artificial Intelligence and Romance

As AI and technology continuously get stronger, this brings us to the bigger problem and increases the chances of trading the real world for a more digital one.

AI has had its share of the idea of romance. Users can be found talking to chatbots/virtual characters in a way to feel romantic. As AI-powered machines are becoming more common, we can only see the path of their development getting longer and longer.

Challenges and Criticism

As technology has its benefits when it comes to interactions, romantic or not, it also comes with downsides. Especially with the strong powers of AI, many people over the internet can be found being scammed through fake identities created by AI or catfishing. For those finding love over the internet, technology will only develop even more. Soon enough, it will be hard to trust if someone is real online with the only validation is meeting in person.

Technologies impacts have led to many concerns, in the sense that it will take over face-to-face interactions, leaving everything in the hands of digital dependency. This can change how society communicates and shares their connections/intimacy, soon enough destroying real love.

Conclusion

Technology has benefited society by shaping romance by offering new opportunities with the downside of battling against unexpected challenges. As AI and technology continue to evolve, the true beauty of romance will be destroyed along with human connection.