Couples, the Internet, and Social Media

The internet, cell phones, and social media have become key actors in the life of many American couples — the 66% of adults who are married or in committed relationships. Couples use technology in the little and large moments. They negotiate over when to use it and when to abstain. A portion of them quarrel over its use and have had hurtful experiences caused by tech use. At the same time, some couples find that digital tools facilitate communication and support. A majority of those in couples maintain their own separate email and social media accounts, though a smaller number report sharing accounts and calendars. And fully two-thirds of couples share passwords.  The broad statistical picture looks like this:

The overall impact of technology on long term relationships

• 10% of internet users who are married or partnered say that the internet has had a “major impact” on their relationship, and 17% say that it has had a “minor impact.” Fully 72% of married or committed online adults said the internet has “no real impact at all” on their partnership.
• 74% of the adult internet users who report that the internet had an impact on their marriage or partnership say the impact was positive. Still, 20% said the impact was mostly negative, and 4% said it was both good and bad.

Tech as a source of support and communication

• 25% of married or partnered adults who text have texted their partner when they were both home together.
• 21% of cell owners or internet users in a committed relationship have felt closer to their spouse or partner because of exchanges they had online or via text message.
• 9% have resolved an argument with their partner online or by text message that they were having difficulty resolving in person.

Tech as a source of tension

• 25% of cell phone owners in a marriage or partnership have felt their spouse or partner was distracted by their cell phone when they were together.
• 8% of internet users in a committed relationship have had an argument with their spouse or partner about the amount of time one of them was spending online.
• 4% of internet users in a committed relationship have gotten upset at something that they found out their spouse or partner was doing online.

Shared passwords:

• 67% of internet users in a marriage or committed relationship have shared the password to one or more of their online accounts with their spouse or partner.