Study: Back-burner relationships affect digital communications and sexual activity Back burners are people with whom one communicates with the hope of establishing a future romantic or sexual relationship. Having a prior romantic relationship with a back burner affects digital communications and sexual activity, as well as a person's negative mood, according to a new study published in a special issue of the peer-reviewed journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking. The special issue is titled "Digital Romance and Dating, Including COVID-19 Pandemic-Related Impacts." John Banas, PhD, from the University of Oklahoma, and coauthors conclude that, "If having ex-partner back burners cascades into increased communication, increased sexual activity, and bad feelings for the admirer, then those in committed relationships might wish to exercise greater caution before forming a back-burner relationship with an ex-partner."