FACEBOOK OFFICIAL(lly killing relationships)

As previously established in the proceeding post, college kids have become completely reliant on technology as the sole channel in which to court the opposite sex. This phenomenon does not end after the initial courtship however; technology remains damagingly involved through the whole relationship. In fact the internet has become a billboard for the status of a relationship.

As everyone is painfully aware facebook has a "relationship status" feature which allows the user to link themselves to their significant other. This seemingly innocuous feature has unknowingly destroyed the simplicity of relationships. The "relationship status" icon has become so important that people have begun to use the expression "facebook official" when discussing relationships. Without the change of status on a person’s page the world does not recognize the union. Instead of the organic evolution of a relationship, technology has forced titles and updates from people adding a much unneeded pressure to blossoming unions.

The real trouble I find however is the removal of a relationship status. I have seen situations where a person has discovered the demise of their relationship via their partner’s new single status on facebook. This painful reminder that your relationship has in fact failed is just completely unnecessary. I’m sure more than once a person has agonized with their mouse on the relationship icon painfully forcing themselves to change their status. I simply do not see how or why this feature is helpful. Why is it the business of the entire cyber community to know that Jen and Steve have gone from a relationship to single? I find this feature has so severely stifled the natural process of getting to know someone into a rule book in which steps must be followed. Time and time again I have heard girls and guys harping on whether they are “in an open relationship” or simply “single.”

While I agree relationship statuses should be defined in some way between the participants so there is no confusion, I do not see why facebook has become the authority over such decisions. I don’t need to know if my relationship is “it’s complicated” according to Lord Facebook. Aren’t all relationships complicated anyway?