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Introduction Lots of research has been done to study the effects of the internet and the use of social media on our interpersonal relationships. There are studies that show that there are both positive and negative outcomes from the influence that this new technology has introduced into our connectivity with our world both online and offline. The authors of the articles I am using are pretty much in agreement that there are good things about being connected to our world through social media, like the ability to connect to many people at that same time and being able to communicate more quickly and easily, but that there are ways that misuse can impact or influence our choices offline and leads to jealousy and discontent. An example of this is given by Sonja Utz and Camiel J. Beukeboom, in their article entitled “The Role of Social Networks Site in Romantic Relationships: Effects on Jealousy and Relationship Happiness”, “…SNS offers a socially acceptable way of monitoring the partner. Jealous people tend to show monitoring behavior such as searching the bags of their partner. However, they usually know that this behavior is not socially accepted and forms a trust violation in itself (512)”. In “The Influence of Social Networks on Romantic Relationships” written by Susan Sprecher, the author states, “A balance or transitivity perspective can also explain why, from the perspective of social network members, dislike of a friend’s or relative’s partner can contribute to attempts to hinder the relationship or, conversely, why liking of the partner can result in behaviors to facilitate the relationship (or at least not to harm it) (631)”. Easy access to so much information about our social connections opens them up to more intense scrutiny yet usually does not pay off for us in increased emotional ties. In an article written by Thomas Pollet, Sam Roberts, and Robin Dunbar, entitled, “Use of Social Media Sites and Instant Messaging Does not Lead to Increased Offline

Cited: Ahn, June. “Teenagers’ Experiences with Social Network Sites: Relationships to Bridging and Bonding Social Capital.” The Information Society. Web. https://zeus.tarleton.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edswss&AN=000302602900003&site=eds-live Boase, J.; Horrigan, J. B.; Wellman, B.; Rainie, L. “The Strength of Internet Ties: The Internet and Email Aid Users in Maintaining Their Social Networks and Provide Pathways to Help When People Face Big Decisions.” Pew Internet and American life Project. Web. http://www.pewinternet.org/~/media/Files/Reports/2006/PIP_Internet_ties.pdf.pdf Pollet, Ph.D., Thomas V., Roberts, Ph.D., Sam G.B., and Dunbar, Ph.D., Robin I.M. “Use of Social Network Sites and Instant Messaging Does Not Lead to Increased Offline Social Network Size, or to Emotionally Closer Relationships with Offline Network Members.” Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking. Web. https://zeus.tarleton.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=59930297&site=eds-live Sprecher, Susan. “The Influence of Social Networks on Romantic Relationships: Through the Lens of the Social Network.” Journal of the International Associations for Relationship Research. Web. https://zeus.tarleton.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=67611576&site=eds-live Utz, Sonja, Beukeboom, Camiel J.” The Role of Social Network Sites in Romantic Relationships: Effects on Jealousy and Relationship Happiness.” Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication. Web. https://zeus.tarleton.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edswss&AN=000292451200003&site=eds-live