Can Social Media Habits Lead To Divorce?
The short answer is yes - social media has been reported as a leading cause for marital rifts that ultimately lead to divorce. It can be as simple as a smartphone getting all of the attention, and as complicated as secret profiles, hidden identities, and so on. It’s not just marriages that are affected, social media can cause serious conflicts in other relationships as well, such as parent/child, employee/employer, and among groups of friends.
Solving these issues is quite complicated, as social media is not a fleeting trend, and it’s become a cornerstone of social and commercial interactions. On one hand, social media adds numerous benefits to our lives, allowing us to stay connected to people across borders and time zones. On the other hand, it can spread misinformation and distract us from more meaningful “in real life” interactions.
So what’s really going on with social media and divorce? Take a look at these facts:
In a recent study published in the scientific journal, Computers in Human Behavior, researchers have found that frequent social media use can cause substantial harm to marital happiness and lead to divorce.
In the UK in 2015, a study found that 1 in 3 divorcing couples cited social media as one of the determining factors.
A study conducted at The University of Missouri found that Facebook-related conflict significantly predicted negative relationship outcomes such as cheating, breakup, and divorce.
Why the fallout? There are a number of factors at play:
Social media is still relatively new: Social media is less than two decades old, and we’re all still figuring it out as we go. Whether it’s rules around screen time for kids or spousal agreements on turning phones off at dinner, there are relationship impacts that people didn’t have to consider a generation ago.
Correlation vs causation: It’s important to keep in mind that correlation does not always mean causation. In the second study listed above, 1 in 3 couples cited social media as a factor in divorce, but it doesn’t mean that these same couples would have stayed married if social media never existed.
Symptom vs cause: On this same note, social media conflict can often be a symptom of a deeper issue. If someone is suspicious that their partner is connecting with old flames through social media, for example, it could be symptomatic of deeper trust issues that would be there with or without social platforms.
As family law attorneys, we see all kinds of divorce scenarios. Our general advice to couples is to talk about social media use the same way you’d talk about other major considerations in a relationship - such as religion, politics, or how to split household chores. Being clear and open about social media can help strengthen any relationship - and potentially even ward off a split.
At Artese Zandri, we help clients navigate divorce for any reason or cause. Feel free to contact us at consultations@artesezandri.com to discuss your own situation.