Technology has taken over our world. Ask anyone when the last time he or she checked Facebook or text messaging inboxes. The answer will generally be “Oh, ten minutes ago.”

But have social networks and the instant ability to get in touch with someone changed the way relationships work? Have they taken all the magic out of a letter?

(Photo by www.smh.com.au/lifestyles)

As I was watching “The Notebook” yesterday, I came to a stunning realization. Noah, the handsome, mysterious male lead, falls madly in love with stubborn, beautiful Allie. After her scheming mother cruelly separates them, Noah writes her 365 letters every day for a year. What if this happened today? Would Noah exclaim, “I wrote on your Facebook wall every day for a year!”? Or maybe “I left you 365 voice mails!” Either way, it isn’t nearly as romantic.

Nowadays, text messaging is used as a way of getting to know a person. “I usually text them more in the beginning and as I get to know them I will build up to a phone call. Texting is a good, informal way to talk to them without it being obvious that you like them,” Mark Kemp, 20, from Kernersville, NC, said.

Your private life is no longer private! Facebook rules the world, especially in high school and college. A new relationship is not real until it is “Facebook official.”

“I started dating this boy, but no one believed it was legit because it wasn’t on Facebook,” Claire, 18, from Phoenix, Arizona said. Every virtual move you make, other people can see it. Whether or not this is a good or bad thing is up to you. But no one can deny that has had a severe impact on relationships.

Think about your day-to-day life. How much time do you waste waiting for a cute boy to text you back? Do you agonize over what to text him back? You aren’t alone.

“Text messaging just makes things more difficult. I have to think of something creative and witty to say back to his messages. It’s stressful. Why can’t we just talk in person,” Claire said.

Girls aren’t the only ones fretting over technology’s involvement in relationships. “Technology has taken away from the “face-time” that you get with someone that you like because now you can easily replace a phone call with a quick text message. I kind of wish texting wasn’t an option because I would much rather talk to a girl that I like on the phone,” said Mark.

Other forms of technology besides cell phones and social networks have also influenced the dating scene. One of the most popular date ideas is a movie. Usually, this date occurs in the beginning of the relationship, mainly to avoid that awkwardness that comes with a new significant other while you try and get to know them. But isn’t that awkwardness necessary? Many couples spend all their time trying to avoid face-to-face contact with someone they’re dating until they can have a real conversation without blushing. They use technology to ease them into the relationship comfortably.

But how is this teaching us how to communicate healthily and effectively?

“If you go to a movie for a date, you don’t get to have any real conversation with them because all of your time is spent watching the movie. If you take a girl to a place where it is just the two of you, then you are able to have a conversation without people shushing you or throwing popcorn at you,” said Mark.

Embrace the awkwardness of the first date. Turn your phone off next time you’re with a cute boy. Keep your Facebook stalkers guessing about your relationship status. Don’t let technology take over your life!

What about how technology has affected safety?