Irony much? Twitter users give anti-social media relationship advice

By: Chenda Ngak
Topics: Tech Talk

(Credit: Twitter)

(CBS) - Relationships must be on the forefront of everyone's mind as we head toward Valentine's Day. Because the top trending topic on Twitter today is #IfWeAreInARelationship and the Twitterverse is on fire with 140 characters worth of love advice.

Full coverage of Twitter at Tech Talk

The great irony is that people are complaining about social media interfering with relationships while using Twitter as their medium.

"#IfWeAreInARelationship lets keep it between us..not facebook and twitter,"[sic] tweeted @iDeeplove. Since this morning, this statement has been re-tweeted over 10,000 times.

Those numbers really speak to the detrimental effects of social media on relationships. You've seen those posts - the ones bashing exes in a fit of rage. Maybe you've been one of those people. I've seen people cursing their exes on Facebook or complaining of neglect from current partners.

"#IfWeAreInARelationship I shouldn't have to go to facebook and twitter to find out that you mad at me or you got a problem,"[sic] tweeted @DEva_Men27ality.

So, what causes people to post the details of their relationships online? Do we really need to know when you've been disappointed or dumped?

"These posts on social media allow you to control the communication with others because it's one-way," Colorado-based clinical psychologist Dr. Neil E. Rand, Ph.D told me over the phone. "It gives the illusion of control."

This is an interesting idea. Sometimes ex-lovers are no longer a Facebook friend. When nasty comments are posted, that person can not speak in their own defense - rendering them powerless.

Love is certainly on the minds of the masses because the responses to this topic are still going strong. Now, excuse me while I post this on Facebook.