The internet, cell phones, and social media have become key actors in the life of many American couples\u2014 the 66% of adults who are married or in committed relationships. Couples use technology in the little and large moments. They negotiate over when to use it and when to abstain. A portion of them quarrel over its use and have had hurtful experiences caused by tech use. At the same time, some couples find that digital tools facilitate communication and support. A majority of those in couples maintain their own separate email and social media accounts, though a smaller number report sharing accounts and calendars. And fully two-thirds of couples share passwords.<\/p>\n
10% of internet users who are married or partnered say that the internet has had a \u201cmajor impact\u201d on their relationship, and 17% say that it has had a \u201cminor impact.\u201d Fully 72% of married or committed online adults said the internet has \u201cno real impact at all\u201d on their partnership.<\/p>\n
74% of the adult internet users who report that the internet had an impact on their marriage or partnership say the impact was positive. Still, 20% said the impact was mostly negative, and 4% said it was both good and bad.<\/p>\n
Sexting is also up from 2012<\/p>\n
9% of adult cell owners have sent a sext of themselves to someone else, up from 6% of cell owners who said this in 2012.<\/p>\n
20% of cell owners have received a sext of someone else they know on their phone, up from 15% who said this in 2012.<\/p>\n
3% of cell owners have forwarded a sext to someone else \u2013 unchanged since 2012.<\/p>\n
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