Social media ruins relationships, and I mean that in the nicest way possible. Not only does social media offer the chance to spend hours stalking your significant other’s past, it also leaves room for jealousy, questions and worry.

These days, people actually take the time to discuss the fact that their boyfriend liked a Facebook picture of an attractive girl or some guy favorited and mentioned their girlfriend in a conspicuous tweet on Twitter.

Not only does it not make sense to pay such close attention to these activities, but it adds an entirely new slew of potential conflict for a couple.

Keeping tabs on your boyfriend’s every move on social media can worsen trust issues. It opens up the floodgates to an unknown territory of his history with dating and who he might have been interested in before you. Don’t read into it too much. It makes you question what he’s doing behind your back and can lead to unwarranted accusations.

Some couples think that if they see a tweet, photo, hashtag or Facebook “like” from the opposite sex on their significant other’s page, they must be cheating. Most of the time, that conclusion is completely irrational. Just because two people are interacting in one form or another on social media platforms doesn’t mean they’re being dishonest in their relationship with you.

A tweet easily can be taken the wrong way. Miscommunication can cause a seemingly perfect relationship to go haywire.

If you’re in a relationship, consider the implications of your posts online. Be cautious of your partner’s feelings and don’t post a flirtatious winky face to another dude, or allude to the fact that you’re unhappy in your relationship by posting a subtle, yet easily distinguishable, tweet to a certain person on Twitter without mentioning their name. If you’re having relationship issues, bring it up to your boyfriend in person instead of broadcasting it to all of your followers. No one wants to be involved in your argument.

Another nuisance making its way across the Twitter and Instagram world is Man Crush Monday, or #MCM. Scrolling down my feed, I come across tons of girls who are in relationships posting silly or cute photos of their boyfriends with the caption #MCM.

Although I have posted one before, I don’t see it necessary to post a #MCM of your boyfriend every week. Oh, your boyfriend is your man crush for the seventh week in a row? I’m so surprised.
I’m not saying that all kinds of social media public displays of affection are obnoxious, but they should be given out in small, appropriate doses. A teasing shoutout every once in a while or a kiss Emoji for a birthday are totally acceptable forms of couple-like posts.

On the contrary, a collage of you and your boyfriend kissing and 50 exclamation points reading “Happy Anniversary!!!!” marking your three months of dating, is not.

Those screenshots of you and your boyfriend FaceTiming while missing each other during winter break? I’d much rather prefer they disappear from anywhere but your own phone.

Consider the fact that the funny names you and your boyfriend call each other might not make sense to anyone who is not dating you. Please stop calling each other “my sweet, salted, soft pretzel” over social media. It’s revolting.

Great moments that you and your sweetie share in real life should be kept somewhat private, unless you break up and your name is Taylor Swift. In that case, feel free to make millions off of your relationship issues.

In all seriousness, if you’re uncertain as to whether or not you should keep track of your significant other’s social media interactions, you should consider evaluating your level of trust with them.

I trust my boyfriend Alex not to truck through my previous online activity when I leave my Facebook and Twitter accounts open in front of him. Although he incessantly updates my status to “I like poop,” I’d much prefer that over the former.

Be sure not to give your significant other your Facebook password unless you’re prepared for the consequences. My best friend tried this with her boyfriend and it drove her crazy going through messages and posts she wouldn’t have known about otherwise. They ended up fighting about past relationships, and it all could have been avoided if they had kept their social media information to themselves.

As my boyfriend and I duel over social media use in relationships, just remember tweets about your relationship status should be kept in mediation and coupley pictures should be shared in tasteful amounts.

Don’t sweat the small stuff, and quit worrying about being the watchdog of your loved one’s social media activity.

Cayden Royce is a journalism sophomore. Reach her at roycecay@msu.edu.