Every generation has its own culture and slang terms, different styles have come, gone, and returned, but new technology has swept over the world completing changing the way we communicate, interact, and date. Our generation depends on technology to survive day to day. There hardly goes a day that I don't use a computer, phone, or TV. The dependence on technology has permeated our relationships.

All the generations have had their own dating quirks. It used to be drive in movies and class rings, and now it's Netflix and chill. Although, I might add that essentially drive movies and Netflix and chill are basically the same thing. I don't want to go back to strict dating rules and courtship until I'm married off to a previously approved man. However, the way create and maintain relationships now is outrageous. We have come to a point where a reasonable expectation is to hear back from someone within seconds. We can know exactly where someone is at exactly every minute of the day. Tracking someone's every action is not a relationship. A relationship doesn't have to be constant communication.

Technology can be a beautiful supplement to relationships. I am so genuinely amazed that the push of a button I can see and talk to my family and friends from miles away. The entire dating culture of this era is constructed around technology. A boyfriend doesn't respond to your text, but within seconds you see four different social media updates. You can see that he opened your text and Snapchat. We expect a constant flow of conversation because most of our phones are stuck in our hands all day long.

Maybe phones shouldn't be so important in our dating lives. It's so strange that a heart and flame emoji can make us question a partner's loyalty. We exchange information within seconds, but are we really saying anything? When was the last you went out and didn't talk to someone who wasn't even there? How often do we judge relationships based on their representation through social media?

We've become less like girlfriends and more like private investigators with timelines and stashed photos. Go out and put the phone face down. Look into another person's eyes and have a real conversation.