Relationships and social media

A new study has identified Facebook as a home wrecker, in addition to the usual warning signs of a relationship ending, such as constant fighting and a shrinking sex life. Users of social media were found to be more likely to change their relationship status to “single” as a result of using the site, according to Boston University research. It found that the divorce rate increased by 2.18 percent in each state in the United States for every 20 percent increase in Facebook users. However, Dr.

Tracey Hunter of Brisbane City Psychologists stated that frequent use of social media was more of a symptom than a cause of relationship issues. According to Hunter, “it would be somewhat inaccurate to say that social media causes divorce. Instead, people who are already experiencing disconnection or lack of intimacy within their relationship are more likely to turn more frequently to social media.” She said it could be a way to partially satisfy intimacy needs or a way to distract from the distance in a relationship. “People can project a more positively skewed image of themselves online, compared to the real-life partner – warts and all,” which “has the potential to make other romantic options seem more appealing.” However, even if a partner uses social media in a responsible manner, excessive use can be harmful. “A lot of my clients who are unhappy with their partner’s lack of intimacy also tell me that their partner is always on Facebook, etc., even when they are together. “Or that they found messages that concerned them in their partner’s inbox from or to an unknown member of the opposite sex.” Paul Simmons, a lecturer in counselling at QUT, said that the report didn’t say for sure if Facebook caused problems in relationships or if people in bad relationships were just more likely to use it.