Social media and family ties: the destructive power of electronic interaction

Today, social media certainly plays an important role in the daily lives of many people. However, when it comes to family relationships, the influence of Facebook, Twitter and similar resources seems to be more destructive than favorable.

This is evidenced by statistics that state that one in three divorces in the world is due to social media related problems. The wide opportunities for communication in the virtual world create temptation for cheating and divorce, which leads to an increase in the number of family conflicts.

The relationship between children and parents is also suffering due to the influence of social media. Children start actively using social media on average from the age of 10, and their online presence is only increasing. This affects the quality of time spent as a family, and 20% of teens are able to be online 21 hours a day. Disagreements between parents' and children's perceptions of what happens online create additional barriers in family relationships.

Moreover, heavy use of social networks leads to serious health problems. Children who prefer virtual communication are less likely to communicate with their parents, which can create emotional gaps in the family. Electronic isolation has also been linked to lowered immunity, cardiovascular disease, and mental health problems.

Overall, it is important to realize that virtual communication can have real consequences for family harmony and physical health.