Researchers tested the theory of “media multiplexity,” or the ability to communicate via several communication channels.

The theory, they said, suggests that there is a clear link between the number of media channels used to communicate, the frequency with which they are used and the strength of relationship ties, the New York Daily News reported.

Lead researcher Bernie Hogan of the University of Oxford’s Internet Institute said that he and his team wanted to see if all the digital media channels available to people now actually strengthened the relationship ties between married people.