Postmodern Love and young adults: how digital media are intertwined with interpersonal relationships

The constant social evolution and the digital development have radically transformed the manner in which young adults establish and sustain their interpersonal relationships, giving rise to new forms of love. This qualitative research seeks to investigate the ways in which social media, remediating practices and norms typical of face-to-face communication in digital environments, have shaped the process by which young people move from knowing individuals to forming a solid relationship. The experiences and opinions of adolescents between the ages of 16 and 18 were collected through the use of focus groups, an ethnographic research tool. Particular attention was paid to the topics of online self-representation, relationships, and digital media. The analysis revealed that social media plays an essential role in young people's self-representation, serving as a platform for identity exploration and development. Despite the pervasive influence of digital media, young people continue to value face-to-face interactions as a crucial aspect of fostering strong and enduring relationships.