why are couples increasingly choosing to break the news of an engagement marriage or a birth of a baby on networking sites first we quiz people about sharing their special moments on the net i have lost count of the number of times i got to know about a friends engagement or impending nuptials through a networking site what happened to the good old days when milestones like these were shared over a cup of coffee or over long chataton on the phone laments 30yearold stylist ruchika seth who is upset because she got to know of a friends impending marriage and anothers engagement through a status update on a networking site she adds off late it has become the norm to share happy moments with a status update online i may not approve of it but its something that i have grudgingly got used for a while now seth is right in her observation of this social trend says clinical psychologist seema hingorrany who adds we have a tendency to compartmentalise people giving priority to a few over the rest when we are close to someone we expect them to give us special treatment and make us a priority in their lives by sharing important details like marriage an engagement or even the arrival of a baby with us first when that does not happen we feel a little unsettled because we begin to question our importance in that persons life dr parul tank consultant psychiatrist thinks this change is just a reflection of how technology has changed the way we communicate she adds i think in the world of networking sites this has become an important means of communication moreover the news when expressed on these sites is accurate comes from the source faster and spreads to more people as a result few people get missed out however the personal touch or personal joy that close ones would get to share if they get to know first hand seems to be missing a close relative may feel there is no difference between himher and a remote friend sitting in another countryhow to use technology to communicate not alienate make that call fix a date if you intend to share good or bad news pick up the phone and call or meet the people you are close to first before sharing the information on networking sites a personalised email also helps as it makes the person feel more valued and more a part of the good news rather than hearing it in an indifferent manner through networking sites say sorry if you have hurt someone apologising to the close friend or family if such an error has occurred saying sorry personally and learning from it is a valuable lessonthink before you share you will save yourself from a lot of problems if you simply thinking things through its best to share details with the people you are close to first before you break the news to others by posting