One body, one heart but one social media account and shared passwords? About 67 percent of Americans who are married or in committed relationships have shared passwords of their online accounts, a new study has revealed.
The report released by the Pew Research Center also revealed that about 27 percent of married couples or those in committed relationship share an email account. About 11 percent of the same population share an online calendar and 11 percent also share a social media profile.
The study took note that openness about having a common profile on Facebook or other social media networks and sharing other online accounts may vary for those who have been partners for a longer period of time or those who have been in a relationship 10 years or less.
"Those who were already together as a couple at the advent of a new platform or technology were a bit more likely to jump on together, as a unit, while those who begin relationships with their own existing accounts and profiles tend to continue to use them separately as individuals," the study read.
The pattern of behavior with regard to usage of technology of users who have been in a relationship for a decade or shorter and those who have been in a relationship longer differ. The former group tend to utilize technology to help their relationship in terms of logistics and communication. Meanwhile, the latter population are more inclined to share accounts such as social media profiles and email addresses.
About 72 percent of the respondents who are married or committed adults said that the Internet has "no real impact at all" to their relationships. Roughly 17 percent said it has a "minor impact" while only 10 percent claimed that the Web has a "major impact" on partnerships.
"Before you start using it, have your own 'Morse code.' Be clear before you start planning, scheduling and posting online," said author and family therapist Jane Greer.
While nine percent said that the Internet helped them resolve a problem they cannot fix in person with their partners, the study also showed how technology can cause tension. Roughly eight percent of those in a committed relationship shared that they had arguments with their partners about the hours spent by one over the Internet. Another four percent disclosed that they were upset at some point because of the activities of their partner or spouse online.
Compared to older couples, younger ones have the tendency to report that technology helped them become closer but at the same time cause tensions in the relationship.
Pew Research Center used the data collected by Princeton Survey Research Associates International over the phone for a study conducted in 2013. The survey was conducted over the phone with 2,252 adults.
