Can Social Media Be A Reason for Divorce?
Facebook has changed the way we interact with people. We often get so involved in our gadgets that we have better relationships over social media and hamper relationships in reality. The increased use of social networking sites germinates interest in lives of people we know and find interesting, most commonly ex-girlfriends/boyfriends, classmates and friends. Spending increased time on social media websites also strains real-life relationships by keeping one distracted, leaving the significant other lonely. Today, our social media relationships are thriving over our real relationships with our spouses often leading to break ups and divorces.
Giving more time to your gadgets
Walk onto a public transport and look around. You’ll find almost everyone sitting on their phones. This doesn’t necessarily mean they’re cheating, but it’s very likely that they are on some form of social media.
The uses of smartphones and social applications have proven to tempt people into cheating with their spouses. 30% of Tinder users in California are married or engaged. With websites like AshleyMadison.com that have over 130 million members, married people are encouraged to tempted to indulge in extramarital affairs.
The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers claims that over 80% of the U.S. divorce attorneys in California alone has seen an increased number of divorces linked to social networking. A study published in the journal – Computers in Human Behavior found that the use of social networking sites “is negatively correlated with marriage quality and happiness, and positively correlated with experiencing a troubled relationship and thinking about divorce.”
How do you stay safe?
Snooping around and checking your partner’s phone to be aware of their doings isn’t always the best idea. The first thing you must do is have a discussion with your partner. Ensure your partner is on the same page as you. If you tend to have suspicions, discuss your concerns with your spouse.
It’s also important to keep an eye on your partner’s social media page. In a lot of divorce cases, lawyers have used the partner’s social media posts to justify infidelity or inebriation.
To learn more about the divorce process in California and how mediation can help, please visit our page, What is Divorce Mediation.
Speak to an Orange County divorce mediation attorney. Having handled many cases involving infidelity with social media, an attorney will also be able to advise you as to how you can be aware of your partner’s affairs.
It’s not always a bad thing!
When you think about it, it works both ways. A divorce is sometimes necessary when you know you’re not with the right person. You could find the love of your life through social media. With apps and websites, it isn’t hard to find the one.
Don’t get paranoid and overthink when your partner is spending increased time on their phone. They’re probably just busy with work or planning a surprise for you!
Gerald A. Maggio is a trained Orange County divorce mediator who has amicably resolved cases many cases out of court, as well as an experienced divorce and family law attorney. Mr. Maggio founded California Divorce Mediators in 2012 with the belief that although “not every marriage can be saved, every family can” and a mission to save families from the financial and emotional distress associated with traditional divorce litigation. California Divorce Mediators is located in Irvine, California, and serves the Orange County area and other counties in California offering divorce mediation, child custody mediation and mediation of other family law matters.
