Man shares 'Instagram theory' that predicts breakups before they happen — and many say it’s spot-on

Many couples share their relationships online for various personal reasons—whether to create digital memories, celebrate milestones, or share their happiness with loved ones. However, like any relationship, their future depends on how they navigate challenges, regardless of public scrutiny. Content creator and professional writer Jamey Lee, who goes by @putoutcontent on Instagram, has sparked debate with his bold claim that highly publicized relationships don’t last. In his “Instagram Theory,” he argues that couples who frequently post about their partners are more likely to experience the “nastiest breakups.” His take has divided the internet, challenging the idea that love needs to be displayed online.

“You want to know how you can tell if a couple is not going to last?” Lee asked in a widely circulating video, arguing that social media projections often ruin relationships. Explaining his theory, he stated, “Every single time I have seen a couple that blasts each other nonstop on social media. There are stories and cute little photos all the time. They're always making sure that you know when they're together—they don't last.” Notably, Lee, who holds strong opinions on modern relationships, even suggested a timeline for when these couples are likely to break up.

“They (such couples) don't last more than six months. If they're lucky, they make it to a year, and then they have the nastiest breakups you could ever imagine,” Lee claimed. Backing up his theory, he argued that strong relationships don’t need constant validation from the public and can thrive without the spotlight. “I think it's because people in healthy relationships don't need to broadcast to the world that they're in a healthy relationship. They have nothing to prove,” he explained. Lee also suggested that couples who seek public approval for their relationships often struggle to maintain them in the long run.

“Those that are in toxic or not the best relationships, they feel the need to get the validation that the relationship is actually something worthwhile from other people as opposed to searching for it within themselves,” Lee told his 5.2 million viewers. He further emphasized, “It should be just enough to know that, ‘Hey, baby, you and me, we're all good.’” However, he concluded that for some, the priority is making the relationship look good on the outside—even when things aren’t so great on the inside.

Lee's sharp criticism of couples taking their stories to social platforms managed to draw a variety of reactions, including from @jonahs_ig, who rebuked, “Bro what? She’s my best friend. She loves creating videos of us, and I love sharing them. We both love to show each other off. Who hurt you?” @carolinegrace03 added, "Not me and my man. We’re getting married and we’re happy as ever and I post him all the time." “Social media kills relationships,” @dean.riding countered. “It’s true. My boyfriend and I don't post each other on social media except for birthdays and some occasions, and we don't have any problem with it. We have been together for three years,” @rashii.dubey agreed. "I used to post all the time, my girlfriend who’s now my fiancé, but I tend to do it a lot less as time has gone on. Although we are engaged and planning on getting married in October. I don’t think that there is a set of rules for everyone," @mattiemillions shared. 

A 2017 study found that social media often makes it more difficult for people to process breakups. While it's common for people to unfollow and unfriend their exes, social often find ways to throw up reminders of their exes, reported Big Think.

You can follow Jamey Lee (@putoutcontent) on Instagram for more relationship-related and lifestyle content.