When some people think of love, there is a good chance that the thoughts that come to mind are something out of a cheesy teen movie. Romantic gestures, awkward tension, and a happily ever after. It is the kind of love that makes it feel like fate or soulmates.
The reality is, life is not like a teen movie, and even without social media, love like this would not happen in real life. Social media makes things like miscommunications and distractions a lot more common.
Like all things in life, social media has completely changed the way dating works. Instead of meeting someone in person, getting to know them, and developing a relationship naturally over time, people can meet over apps like Instagram, TikTok, or Snapchat.
There is nothing wrong with getting to know someone online; however, the freedom to scroll through hundreds of profiles can make it hard to connect with people. Why settle on one person when there is a constant stream of options?

Social media also gives the highlight reel of someone’s life, leading to a comparison of their lives, and, by extension, their relationships. It is easier to feel jealous of someone when one only sees the anniversaries, date nights, and vacations without the arguing and trial that relationships require.
Then, there is the rise of “situationships.” People can be talking all the time, and going on dates, but when it comes to making things official, things become ambiguous. It is the blurry middle ground that sits between friendship and a full-blown relationship. Often, it is not clear to anyone involved what is going on, and the whole experience is emotional limbo.
The truth is, love is more complicated than simplistic portrayals seen in movies. However, that may not be a bad thing. While it is not as neat and tidy as a rom-com, the reality of modern dating is it may need more communication and clarity, but also offers more room for connections. Without social media and all of its challenges, people would not be able to connect with others who do not live near them.
Meaningful love may no longer mean big, dramatic moments seen in films, but it can still lead to something real. In the midst of social media, where nothing is seen as real, finding true connections can still happen if people are willing to put in the work.