Social media is giving you bad dating advice—here’s how to spot it | Funmi Okonweze | TEDxClarkstown
This talk explores the evolving nature of marriage and relationships, contrasting the idealized portrayals on social media with the often challenging reality. It emphasizes how modern couples are frequently unprepared for the complexities of long-term commitment due to a lack of practical knowledge, with many relying on romanticized ideals from pop culture or unverified advice from influencers. The author shares a personal story of marital breakdown and self-discovery, highlighting how previous generations relied on family, community, and religious guidance, support systems that are now largely replaced by social media.While acknowledging that platforms like Instagram and TikTok can offer community and mental health awareness, the author warns that they also promote unrealistic expectations, gender stereotypes, and misleading advice that can harm young people's understanding of love and partnership. The rise of “soft life” culture for women and hyper-masculine, often misogynistic, influencers for men are shaping toxic relationship ideals. To address this, the author proposes media literacy education, pre-marital coaching, platform accountability, and verified relationship experts on social media. Ultimately, the message is clear: young people don’t need curated images or clickbait advice, they need wisdom, self-awareness, and healthy role models to build strong, lasting relationships.Funmi Okonweze’s journey into relationship coaching began over a decade ago when the breakdown
of her marriage prompted her to delve deeply into understanding the complexities of relationships.
Through extensive research and personal reflection, she gained invaluable insights and tools that not
only helped restore and transform her own marriage but also inspired this book, "Restore Your Broken
Marriage and Create Your Happily Ever After."A strong advocate for relationship coaching as a key factor in building successful marriages, Funmi
has spent years using her knowledge and experience to guide couples through their challenges,
empowering them to achieve their relationship goals. Funmi is an accountant by profession and a Fellow of the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants, with over two decades of experience in investment banking. She lives in London with her husband of more than 25 years and their two children.This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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