If you haven't noticed that cell phones and internet affect interpersonal relationships by now, you're probably a cryogenically frozen severed head from 1969. Nowadays, the question isn't so much "does it affect my ability to maintain human relationships that lead to drunk sex," it's how much. And thanks to a recent survey of American's use of the internet, we now have the answer to that question, in the ever-so-easy-to-digest format of statistics.

If you haven't noticed that cell phones and internet affect interpersonal relationships by now, you're probably a cryogenically frozen severed head from 1969. Nowadays, the question isn't so much "does it affect my ability to maintain human relationships that lead to drunk sex," it's how much. And thanks to a recent survey of American's use of the internet, we now have the answer to that question, in the ever-so-easy-to-digest format of statistical lists. People love statistics almost as much as they love checking their cell phones while they're having sex, which is a lot.

Ready to find out how technology is either wrecking or enhancing your ability to get laid? Read on child, read on.

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.

Young adults are more likely to report feeling closer to their spouse or partner thanks to technology

  •     41% of 18-29 year olds in serious relationships have felt closer to their partner because of online or text message conversations.
  •     23% of 18-29 year olds in serious relationships report resolving an argument using digital tools that they were having trouble resolving in person.

At the same time, young adults are more likely to report tension in their relationships over technology use

  •     42% of cell-owning 18-29 year olds in serious relationships say their partner has been distracted by their mobile phone while they were together (25% of all couples say this).
  •     18% of online 18-29 year olds have argued with a partner about the amount of time one of them spent online (compared with 8% of all online couples).
  •     8% say they have been upset by something their partner was doing online (compared with 4% of all online couples).

Sexting among adults is up since 2012 (you were waiting for this part the whole time, weren't you)

  •     9% of adult cell owners have sent a sext of themselves to someone else, up from 6% of cell owners who said this in 2012.
  •     20% of cell owners have received a sext of someone else they know on their phone, up from 15% who said this in 2012.
  •     3% of cell owners have forwarded a sext to someone else – unchanged since 2012.
  •     Married and partnered adults are just as likely as those not in a relationship to say they have sent sexts; single adults are more likely to report receiving and forwarding such images or videos.

 

Well, if you're a target-market male or female aged 18-35, it looks like technology is both destroying and improving your love lives. It all depends on how you use it and what kinds of boundaries you and your partner have. So just keep sending dick pics and nude selfies to Tinder strangers, and we know one day you'll be walking down the aisle into the arms of someone you met on www.singleswithfoodallergies.com or whatever site you're trolling these days. Peace out, e-lovers.