By: Natasha Archary
The rules for online dating are not set in stone and at times it seems there aren’t any. Social media platforms have made it okay to commit all kinds of online faux pas, like ghosting or benching someone.
But being “Facebook official” is still a milestone most couples want to reach. Why do people feel the need to declare their relationship status for their high school friends, acquaintances and work colleagues to see?
Could it be that going public with your relationship on Facebook makes people feel more committed to the relationship? Whatever the reason, before you change your relationship status, ask yourself these 7 questions.
- How much information are you comfortable sharing about your relationship online?
If you’re not ready to reveal who you’re in a relationship with, you have the option to not tag your significant other in the status update. Simply, change your status from “single” to “in a relationship” and leave it at that.
Your friends will want to comment or congratulate you on the relationship update. If you do not wish to respond to prying questions about who you are in a relationship with
- Will the status change how you approach your relationship?
A relationship status change won’t automatically make you or your partner more committed to the relationship. If the two of you are not willing to prioritise the relationship outside of social media, the status change is just that.
- Can you manage the jealousy or insecurity?
The online world has no boundaries, which is why you and your partner should set some between you. Liking another user’s profile picture. Sending a direct message here and there. It’s online user behaviour that comes with the social networking territory. If something makes you uncomfortable, address it and manage it together.
- Which parts of your lives together makes it onto social media?
As much as you’re a couple, you each have boundaries with regards to privacy that should be respected. If you or your partner do not wish for your material possessions to be posted, your holidays, your time with friends or family or even your kids, this should be brought up with your partner.
Read: Lost in translation: Breaking down the online dating jargon
- Does your partner still have their ex on social media?
Bring up the matter of ex lovers as soon as possible. If your partner is reluctant to share your relationship on social media, it could be that they are sensitive about their ex’s feelings regarding your relationship. It may be time to do a social media spring clean and limit interaction with the ex.
- Is this relationship long-term?
You can’t go around changing your relationship status every month. Especially not after every Tinder date. And certainly not unless you have both decided this is exclusively official.
There is no Facebook rulebook around this but reserve the status change for when you’re well and truly dating someone.
- How would you handle things if you break up?
People will notice the relationship status update that announces you’re single again. Or you can edit your profile privacy settings so that no one can see your relationship status but you.
If after careful consideration, you are certain about updating your relationship status, be sure to give your partner as much love and respect offline.
