About this Research Topic
A relationship is the connection between two or more people. In the personal space of two people, it involves the communication, behaviours and the various affective dynamics at an intimate and interpersonal level. With technology and digital means, we have found a virtual way of ensuring that interpersonal relationships continue to thrive. However, digital relationships are not free from disadvantages and challenges, including miscommunication, lack of authenticity and mistrust, increased conflict, deteriorating mental health, higher comorbidity of psychiatric conditions, cyberbullying and risk of cyber crimes, and infidelity to name a few. From cyber crimes to rapid digital relationships and increased divorce rates, the nature of relationships can be speculated from a bio-psycho-social lens to understand and address its disputes in the digital era.
In an era that is witnessing unbridled growth with digital lifestyles and the rampant growth of artificial intelligence, there is a need to understand the critical concerning developments regarding how relationships are being affected at multiple levels. Digital developments have had a double-pronged effect of advantages and disadvantages on relationships. It is critical we develop evidence-based insights as the nature of relationships evolves to improve quality of life in present times and mitigate possible future problems.
Some specific themes that can be covered in this Research Topic include:
- Trends in online dating and online relationships;
- Increasing infidelity and digital relationships;
- Revenge pornography and its impact on mental health;
- Critical impacts of digital relationships on youth mental health;
- Role of digital relationships, infidelity and the marriage crisis;
- Evaluating the presence of dating apps for niche populations (LGBTQ, adults, geriatric);
- Long distance dating and the role of online relationships;
- Online break ups and grieving- the emergence of digital emotional regulation;
- Online relationships and the role of support groups;
- Role of social media and social media influencers on relationship health;
- Interference of digital technology in relationships- boom or bane? (apps, location trackers etc.)
In an era that is witnessing unbridled growth with digital lifestyles and the rampant growth of artificial intelligence, there is a need to understand the critical concerning developments regarding how relationships are being affected at multiple levels. Digital developments have had a double-pronged effect of advantages and disadvantages on relationships. It is critical we develop evidence-based insights as the nature of relationships evolves to improve quality of life in present times and mitigate possible future problems.
Some specific themes that can be covered in this Research Topic include:
- Trends in online dating and online relationships;
- Increasing infidelity and digital relationships;
- Revenge pornography and its impact on mental health;
- Critical impacts of digital relationships on youth mental health;
- Role of digital relationships, infidelity and the marriage crisis;
- Evaluating the presence of dating apps for niche populations (LGBTQ, adults, geriatric);
- Long distance dating and the role of online relationships;
- Online break ups and grieving- the emergence of digital emotional regulation;
- Online relationships and the role of support groups;
- Role of social media and social media influencers on relationship health;
- Interference of digital technology in relationships- boom or bane? (apps, location trackers etc.)
Keywords: digital relationships, digital identity, communication, digital safety, security, online dating, onine relationships, mental health
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
