Computer Love: Are Twitter and Texting Bad for Relationships?

Relationships depend on communication, but is texting and Twitter bad for relationships? Romeo and Juliet kept their romance alive through poetry under a balcony and messages passed through people. When paper was made readily available, husbands wrote wives love letters. Widespread use of the telephone had men calling their wives from work and women checking in on their mates. Now the internet and cellphones have made constant communication a new feature of the modern relationship.

Is constant contact a good thing? How does Twitter and texting in general affect relationships?

Twitter is a website that allows users to create free profiles and post messages shorter than 255 characters. It's a form of microblogging. People can follow these posts or "tweets". The short messages are supposed to function as status updates and make it easier for others to know your whereabouts and happenings. Twitter can be updated on a computer, smart phone or even a regular cell phone with text messaging capabilities.

Texting is also known as short message system (SMS) messaging is a way for cell phone users to send alphanumeric messages to one another.

Does Twitter help or hurt a relationship? On the one hand, it allows your girlfriend or wife to know what you're up to without having to make a phone call or giving them your schedule in advance. On the other hand, the world knows what you're doing. Is that a good thing?

What does texting do for communication among couples? Text messages can work well as reminders of love. Text messages are also great because you can save them for later. However, texting can give an excuse not to talk on the phone and it may be difficult to convey emotions through short messages.

What do you think? Does Twitter and texting help or hurt relationships? How should couples use these new technologies in their lives?