Do Facebook Status Updates Affect Your Dating Life?

There's no denying that Facebook and other social media have become a big part of our lives. The vast majority of us have a Facebook page, (and many also have a Twitter or FourSquare account and a Pinterest page among others). So what does that mean for our dating lives?

Facebook has become a way for us to update our network of friends on everything that is going on in our lives, sometimes on a minute-by-minute basis, depending on how much time you spend on the site. It's also a way for us to check in on other peoples' lives. People use their status update tool to announce everything from a new baby to an engagement to what kind of coffee they had for breakfast. While it's great to keep updated on the lives of our friends, when is it too much?

Studies have been conducted recently on this topic, and whether too much time on Facebook can lead to jealousy or depression. While there are no definite links between clinical depression and social media use, there was a study from the University of Salford in the U.K. that indicates social media may cause anxiety and lower self-esteem.

While this study was not extensive - about 300 people participated - about half of them reported that using social media has made their lives worse. In particular, they noticed feelings of jealousy and low self-esteem when they started comparing their own lives to those of their Facebook friends.

For example, if your ex-boyfriend posts a new photo with a mysterious woman, or friends a member of the opposite sex, you might find yourself not only curious but jealous. And this might lead you to more stalker-like behavior, trying to figure out who this woman is and why she's in a photo with your ex.

Sometimes posts can seem insensitive to single men and women: posts announcing a couple's marriage, new engagement, a trip to Europe together (complete with pictures of the happy couple), or an announcement of the baby they are expecting. While these events are all wonderful, it can make single Facebook friends start dwelling on all the things they don't have.

While we can't prevent people from posting a million pictures of their new babies on Facebook or gushing about their new loves, we can take a step back and limit the time we spend on social media sites. We could also block certain people from our feeds, if they have a proclivity to gush. Regardless, it's important to keep perspective. Some people gush on Facebook in order to convince themselves of their own happiness. Others just want to share. Either way, don't take it personally - it's not about you. The more you can distance yourself from other people's status updates, the more secure and relaxed you'll be in your own life.

To find out more on how to use this social network as a dating tool and if it is worth doing so, please read our Facebook review.