Exploring the Effects of Social Media on Marriages in Northern Ghana

Abstract

The proliferation of social media has served as an extension of the social life of people; information seeking, socialization, and many other social needs. The study uses a sequential mixed method (quantitative and qualitative design) to examine the effects of social media dependency on marital relationships in northern Ghana. Results revealed a high dependency on social media in Ghana with serious ramifications on romantic relationships. Thus, frequent online engagement has heightened partner monitoring, suspicion, jealousy, and mistrust between couples, affecting long-term relationships’ well-being. Couples define standards/regulatory mechanisms to constrain their SNS engagement to minimize the associated effects of social media.