Lab42's Relationship Status Update (Part II)

Ever wondered how technological innovations like text messaging and social networking affects modern dating? So did the team at Lab42, who surveyed 500 social network users over the age of 18 in hopes of gaining a little insight into the intersection of love and technology.

We took at look at the infographic created from their data (see it here) and covered a few of their findings in Part I, so let's move on. After gathering some basic information on relationships in the 21st century, the Lab42 team turned their attention to social media, email, dating sites, and text messaging. This is what they found:

• Have you ever broken up via text message, email, or Facebook?: 67% No, 33% Yes

• Would you ever break up via text message, email, or Facebook?: 60% No, 40% Yes

• Have you ever signed up for an online dating site?: 77% No, 23% Yes

Then came the burning question that many avid Facebookers have agonized over: How long do you wait to change your relationships status? At the start of a new relationship, 38% said they update their status immediately. 24% wait until after they've notified their friends, and another 24% hold off on updating until they see that their SO has changed theirs. After a breakup, participants were quicker to announce their new single status to the world: 52% responded that they change their status immediately, compared to 19% who tell their friends first and 9% who wait for their ex's status update.

Although technology may seem impersonal, many technophiles are still doing their best to keep the human touch in their relationships. 42% of survey respondents said they they are most likely to ask someone out on a first date in person. Other popular options were Facebook (24%), the phone (16%), text message (11%), and email (5%).

It also turns out that stalking someone online isn't the most popular way to get to know someone: 29% answered that they research new love interests on social networks and another 26% admitted to Googling them, but the majority (57%) favor being upfront about their interest by Facebook friending potential dates. Facebook was also a popular way to communicate with SOs: 64% answered "Yes" when asked if they post romantic messages on their sweetie's wall.

The top three most common communication tools for tech-savvy daters are mobile phones (76%), text messages (65%), and Facebook messages (45%). That left email (34%) and Facebook chat (34%) in the 4th and 5th places, while instant messaging (21%) brought up the rear.

Lastly, Lab42 asked respondents currently in relationships about the average number of text messages they send their partners per day:

• 0 messages: 19%

• 1-5 messages: 26%

• 6-10 messages: 17%

• 11+ messages: 38%

It doesn't take a psychic to see Carpal Tunnel in their futures!