There are people who publicly share their romantic relationships on social media, showcasing couple photos, gifts from their partner, and special events. Some even create new accounts specifically for “love-stagram.”This term refers to the act of couples posting affectionate photos on social media, similar to Instagram. This explores the psychology of people who flaunt their affection through love-stagram.
The Desire for Attention and Recognition
There are two main reasons for engaging in love-stagram. First, it stems from a desire for attention and recognition. Attention and recognition are related to the “declaration effect,” which is the effect gained from making a public statement. People have an instinct to uphold their words and actions once they’ve made a public declaration. This applies to romantic relationships as well. By declaring their relationship publicly, couples are encouraged to act more faithfully towards each other.
Anxiety and Control through Love-stagram
On the other hand, this behavior can also be driven by anxiety. The desire to control and manage one’s partner leads to using social media as a tool. By publicly declaring someone as their partner, they indirectly monitor their partner’s behavior. Additionally, anxiety is linked to a lack of self-confidence. A single post flaunting their affection can garner recognition and boost their confidence. The more likes they receive and the more comments they get expressing envy for their relationship, the more their anxiety is alleviated.
Privacy and Consent in Love-stagram
Sharing their love online allows couples to proudly display their loved ones and create memories through photos and videos. If love-stagram strengthens their relationship, that’s an additional benefit. However, there are ethical concerns. Even if each post contains only a small amount of personal information, compiling information from multiple posts can provide outsiders with considerable insight into the relationship, such as where they went on dates, what they do for a living, their names, and where they live. Therefore, it is essential to obtain full consent from the partner before posting. No matter how close the relationship, mutual agreement is necessary because it involves sharing another person’s face and information on social media. Active communication between partners about their social media activity is crucial. To prevent misuse for criminal purposes, couples should ensure that their living areas and personal details are not easily inferred from their posts. Additionally, discussions on how to handle these posts after a breakup are necessary.