Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw

The Role of Social Media in Shaping Relationship Expectations: Navigating Unrealistic Standards and the ‘Highlight Reel’ Effect

Let’s be honest—if you’ve ever scrolled through Instagram, you’ve probably seen those perfect couples.

You know the ones: always smiling, dressed in coordinated outfits, effortlessly posing in front of breathtaking sunsets.

It’s like they stepped out of a rom-com and onto your feed. But here’s the thing: what you’re seeing is only part of the story.

Welcome to the world of the “Highlight Reel,” where social media often showcases the best and brightest moments of relationships while leaving the messier, more complicated bits off-screen.

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Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw

Digital Detox for Couples And Families: Reconnecting in a Screen-Saturated World

If you and your partner spend more time scrolling through your phones than gazing into each other’s eyes, it might be time to consider a digital detox.

Is this a family concern as well?

In today’s screen-saturated world, it’s easy to feel more connected to our devices than to the people we love.

While technology brings us many benefits, too much screen time can take a toll on our mental health, our stress levels, and—let’s face it—our relationships.

But don’t worry, a digital detox doesn’t mean you have to throw your phone into the nearest lake. It’s about finding balance and reconnecting with your partner in more meaningful ways.

Let’s explore how a digital detox can benefit your relationship, the signs that you might need one, and some practical tips on how to implement it.

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Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw

Digital Intimacy and Relationship Maintenance in the Age of Social Media

In today’s world, social media is as much a part of our relationships as candlelit dinners and whispered sweet nothings—only now, the candles are LED, and the sweet nothings are often emojis.

Social media has become a central part of how couples connect, communicate, and navigate their shared lives.

But while it offers new opportunities for intimacy (and the occasional couple selfie), it also presents challenges that our grandparents never had to consider.

As a couples therapist, understanding these dynamics and helping couples navigate them can be crucial to keeping relationships healthy. I’ll include some tips on applying the latest research for my colleagues.

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Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw

The Taylor Swift Effect: How a Pop Icon is Shaping Body Image in the Social Media Age

Taylor Swift, one of the most influential figures in contemporary music, has emerged not just as a pop sensation but also as a powerful voice in the ongoing conversation about body image and disordered eating.

Her openness about these struggles is influencing millions of fans, particularly young women, in ways that are both inspiring and complex.

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Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw

Symbio-sexuality: A New Approach To Advancing Compersion?

The article “Symbiosexuality: New Study Validates Attraction to Established Couples as a Real Phenomenon” by Eric W. Dolan presents the findings of a study conducted by Sally W. Johnston, which explores a concept referred to as “symbiosexuality.”

The study proposes that some folks experience attraction not just to individuals, but to the dynamic energy between people in a relationship.

While the research claims to break new ground in understanding human desire, a closer examination reveals several weaknesses in its conceptual framework, methodology, and broader implications.

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Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw

Pornography Addiction: Is There Hope? Yes, But We Start By Changing how we talk about it

In the digital age, the accessibility of pornography has skyrocketed, making it essential for mental health professionals to understand its potential impact on individuals and relationships.

While some people use pornography without adverse effects, others may develop problematic patterns that can disrupt their daily lives, relationships, and mental health.

To help identify when pornography consumption becomes problematic, researchers have developed the Problematic Pornography Consumption Scale (PPCS).

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Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw

The Invisible Burden: Uncovering Family Anxiety Through a Powerful Meme

Memes are more than just amusing internet phenomena; they are cultural artifacts that capture shared human experiences in powerful, relatable ways.

One meme that is emerging but still remains largely under the radar is “the invisible burden.”

This meme poignantly encapsulates the unspoken emotional and mental load carried by many family members, particularly primary caregivers.

This burden is often a significant source of family anxiety, and understanding its roots and implications is crucial for addressing the mental health challenges it creates.

In this post, we will explore how the invisible burden has become such a pervasive issue, discuss its historical and social origins, and consider how we might begin to alleviate this silent weight.

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Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw

Is Boredom Dangerous? How Our Modern Lives Fuel a Hidden Psychological Crisis

As a family therapist, I observe the impact of this boredom-driven behavior in relationships and communities.

The rise of boredom in the digital age has far-reaching consequences, from interpersonal conflicts to broader societal issues, such as the appeal of populism and radical ideologies.

Understanding the role of boredom is crucial in addressing these challenges and helping individuals find more fulfilling and meaningful ways to engage with the world around them.

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Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw

Cuffing Season: Why We All Suddenly Want to Snuggle Up When It Gets Cold

Cuffing Season. That magical time of year when the air gets crisp, the days get shorter, and suddenly everyone’s on the hunt for someone to share a blanket—and maybe a Netflix password—with.

If you’ve noticed that your inbox starts buzzing with “Hey, stranger…” texts as soon as the leaves begin to fall, congratulations—you’ve officially entered cuffing season.

While the memes about cuffing season might make you chuckle, a lot is happening behind the scenes. So, grab your pumpkin spice latte, and let’s dive into what makes cuffing season such a big deal.

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Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw

From Hookup Culture to Neo-Prudism: Are We Witnessing a Return to Romantic Restraint?

The conversation around hookup culture, particularly in the context of feminism, has dominated discussions on modern relationships.

But could we be on the cusp of a cultural shift that sees a new prude ethos emerging, one that challenges the casual sexual norms of today?

As a couples therapist, this possibility isn't just intriguing—it's essential to understand the changing dynamics that could reshape how intimacy and commitment are approached in the coming years.

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Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw

Meme-Worthy Generational Tensions: A Marriage and Family Therapist’s Take on Boomer vs. Millennial vs. Gen Z Clashes

As a marriage and family therapist, I’ve seen my fair share of generational clashes, but nothing quite compares to the simmering tension between Boomers, Millennials, and Gen Z.

These generational differences affect family dynamics as well as shaping how we perceive work ethics, technology, and social norms.

So, let's dive into this modern-day generational battlefield, armed with humor, social science, and a few choice quotes from the front lines of social media.

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Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw

The Great Dating Game: Confessions, Disgust, and a Sprinkle of Kindness

Dating—the magical world where we all try to show off our best selves, like peacocks fanning their feathers, but with less color and more awkwardness.

But what happens when the mask slips a little, and we’re forced to admit that we’re not all perfect angels?

What if we had to come clean about something a little less glamorous, like, say, questionable hygiene or a slight tendency to stretch the truth?

Well, grab some popcorn because a recent study published in Telematics and Informatics has dived deep into this very dilemma, and the results are both eye-opening and just a little bit hilarious.

Spoiler alert: Men are more likely to admit to smelling funky, while women might confess to the occasional moral faux pas. Let’s take a stroll through the highlights, shall we?

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