Facebook Blamed for Divorces, Infidelity, Jealousy

New research blames Facebook for the breakdown of millions of marriages.

Since its inception in 2004, Facebook has played a major role in our relationships and in our lives. The social networking site has over one billion users and it has brought together people of all ages, races, and backgrounds. It has reconnected people with lost loves and created many a marriage across the globe.

However, some critics believe that Facebook impairs face-to-face interactions and prevents people from honing real-world relationships. Instead of connecting as a family, many people sit at home scrolling through Facebook for hours on end. And, now, a new study links excessive Facebook use with a higher incidence of divorce.

The study, which will be published in  the Journal of Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking, found that people who frequently check their Facebook page (more than once a hour) often experience relationship consequences as a result of checking the website. They are more likely to reconnect with ex-partners via the site and they are also more likely to experiencejealousy and insecurity. For example, many people who use Facebook excessively spend part of that time monitoring their partner’s page. They worry about who their partner is talking to and who they are friends with. All of this can give rise to real-world issues such as insecurity and arguments within the relationship.

It’s no surprise that Facebook “stalking” and jealousy can impact your relationship even after you log out of the site. You might find yourself checking out your partner’s Facebook friends (especially those of the opposite sex) and scrolling through their photos and statuses to look for evidence of infidelity or inappropriate behavior. Being an amateur spy can do more than rob you of valuable time, it can also keep you from being present, confident, and engaged with your own life.

It’s easy to understand where insecurities come from as Facebook can give rise to plenty of temptation. Suddenly you have access to the “one who got away” in college or your childhood sweetheart who you never quite got over. The temptation to send him a “harmless” little note is often too much for many people to resist, and if feelings still exist, it can become a very dangerous interaction indeed. Even if you never meet in person, you might still find yourself embroiled in an emotional affair in which you are channeling all of your energy and flirtation into someone who is not your partner.

However, the truth is that Facebook isn’t inherently evil or relationship-suicide. Like all things in life, you get out of Facebook what you put into it. If you simply use it to keep in touch with friends and check out photos of your family members, then Facebook likely will have no harmful impact on your life. But, if you use the site obsessively to look up ex-partners or check up on your current partner’s behavior, then Facebook will likely give you plenty of drama in return.

If you find yourself frequently falling into the latter group, it might be a good idea for you to take a Facebook vacation once in a while. Make a pact with your partner not to go on Facebook for two weeks or even a month. You might find that you suddenly have more time and energy for yourself as well as your relationship, and you also might find that you are less jealous and insecure with your mate. If Facebook gives you more pain than pleasure, then it might be time to consider logging out permanently and exploring other ways to keep in touch with family and friends.