Lovebirds are not tweeting for daily Twitter users, according to a recent study by OkTrends, a website that compiles research from dating website OkCupid.
The study, which compiled data from more than 800,000 users, found that people aged 18 to 50 who use Twitter every day have shorter relationshipsthan those who do not.
Twenty-one-year-old frequent Twitter users said their relationships usually last about 10 and a half months, whereas those 21-year-olds who do not use Twitter every day said their relationships last about 11 and a half months.
For all ages, the difference in relationship duration between the two is about one month.
Loretta Pecchioni, communication studies associate professor, said she believes the correlation between relationship length and frequency of Twitter use could be a result of personality types.
“Twitter is still fairly new. … [The difference in longevity] is because people who use it now have more extreme personalities,” Pecchioni said. “That trend might change.”
Pecchioni said frequent Twitter users have short attention spans and constantly seek excitement, which is not good for long-term relationships.
“People who use Twitter probably don’t have much impulse control,” Pecchioni said.
Pecchioni said an impulsive post could harm a relationship.
“We can screw up relationships with or without technology,” Pecchioni said. “Technology just makes it easier.”
Nicholas Vasquez, construction management senior, said daily Twitter users have shorter relationships because “they put their business online,” which can be damaging.
“What you and other people post leads to jealousy, trust issues and insecurity,” Vasquez said.
Kelsey Dearman, biology freshman, said relationship durations differ because of the evolution of communication.
“Technology makes people feel like they don’t have to be face to face,” Dearman said. “They talk on Facebook or Skype, and then that’s their quality time for the day.”
Pecchioni said changing communication forms have positive and negative implications. She said mediated conversations can create a connection and exchange information, but strong emotions cannot be conveyed technologically.
Lauren Adams, mechanical engineering freshman, said she thinks rising social media popularity has led to differing definitions of the “real” relationship.
“[Daily Twitter users] have more online-oriented relationships. They don’t have real, healthy relationships, so they don’t last long,” Adams said.
 
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Contact Emily Herrington at [email protected]