We r over;)

The original story I talk about can be found here

http://money.cnn.com/2015/10/01/technology/teen-breakup-text/index.html?iid=ob_homepage_tech_pool&iid=obnetwork

For my blog this week, I’m talking about break-ups over text messages and social media.  In the CNN story, it is reported by the Pew Research Center that a percentage of teens end relationships through text message and or other forms of social media.  While online dating apps like Tinder helps people meet, it’s Facebook where you go to unmeet those people (I don’t think that word exists, but it isn’t showing as misspelled so maybe it does…).  With most teens having smart phones, finding and losing love is as easy as a swipe, text or relationship status change.

In the story, a middle school boy who participated in the study said that he felt texting is better to end relationships because you are not face-to-face with the person.  He said that because of an incident involving a girl throwing a book at him he feels it’s probably better to do in texts.  The story goes on to say that the majority of teens still feel that ending relationships in person is the better way to go.   18% of the teens with dating experience surveyed said they’ve experienced or initiated a break up message by sending a private message on social media, changing their relationship status on Facebook or posting a status update.  Some of the teens justify the action by saying that you’re less likely to “feel bad.”  The story does not specify WHO it is that feels less bad, though.

With Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other sites covered in status messages, photos, status updates it creates a false perspective of reality, so it is not unreasonable to think that relationships can begin and end there.  Even if there is not a relationship, it can still go badly.  35% of girls have had to block or un-friend someone after they experienced uncomfortable flirting on social media.  The percentage is double that of boys, with 16%.  In a digital world, it is easy to find love and end it.

The trend in ending relationships via social media or text message does not stop with teenagers.  I have also been broken up with via text message.  I was 30 and she 31 when it happened.  It was kind of shocking, after a year dating for her to end the relationship with the 21^st century version of a “Dear John” letter.  I could not imagine what it’s like for teens who deal with it.  

In my opinion, breaking up with someone via social media or text removes the social development aspect people need to develop.  Having to look the person in the eye and end your relationship with them, it is one of the things that matures us and teaches us inter-personal skills.  I have tried thinking of a Bible verse to correlate with this, but I cannot.  I even did a Google search for ideas, and came up with nothing that applies to this.  Do you have any ideas?