How Social Media Can Lead to Divorce

 

Posted on March 1, 2019

Social media has opened a doorway to our past by making it easier to reconnect with old friends and acquaintances. However, there are a few ways increased social media use can lead to marital problems, infidelity, and divorce.

Excessive Social Media Use

In general, spending a great deal of time on social media causes people to miss out on their actual lives. Sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are notorious time-sucks that cause users to lose focus and the ability to be present in face-to-face conversations. While not grounds for divorce, overuse of social media can negatively impact a marriage as the constant distraction creates a barrier to achieving the quality time and attention that a healthy romantic relationship requires.

Reconnecting with Exes

Finding and friending a former significant other online can be both innocent and dangerous. Often a married person is just curious as to the well-being of a significant person from their past and gives a former significant other a follow. Other times, a spouse may be unhappy in their marriage and actively searching for the one that got away. If a past relationship is reignited online, private messages could easily lead to infidelity. If an affair results, any correspondence could be admissible in divorce court.

Dating Apps

Apps like Tinder, OkCupid, or Match.com are designed for people looking to connect with others in the hope of starting a romantic relationship. Unfortunately, Tinder reports that 30% of their users are married and sites like AshleyMadison.com cater to those searching for affairs. While a study on Computers in Human Behavior shows more than a third of current U.S. marriages started online, no happily married person should still have an active account with a mobile or online dating service. While a dating app profile is not hard evidence of cheating, it is cause for alarm and should be questioned. As they say, where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

If you’ve noticed suspicious online behavior or suspect your spouse of being unfaithful, contact an experienced Orlando divorce attorney to help protect you and your family’s assets. To speak with us regarding your case, contact The Roberts Family Law firm, P.A. by calling 407-426-6999 or fill out our online form and we will contact you shortly.