Facebook is great, almost all of us have it, and a lot of us probably check it multiple times a day. We get to stay in touch with old high school friends that more than likely we would never even be in contact with again. We can share photos with family members who live across the country. Facebook cites that "People spend over 700 billion minutes per month on Facebook" ...so we get the picture... people use it... a lot. But in the process of connecting people it looks like it may be bringing some people a little too close. This article was just one of many that cited the statistic that "81 percent of divorce attorneys have seen an increase in the number of cases using social networking evidence during the past five years." And that 1 out of 5 divorces are citing Facebook for one of the reasons they want a divorce.
It seems so innocent at first, just catching up with an old friend. Talking isnt cheating right? But then all of a sudden your waiting for your loved one to leave so you can log online and see if that "old friend" is online too, because they just seem so understanding. Or maybe it isnt even a long lost friend, but someone totally new and exciting that you just happened to meet online, and they compliment your profile picture. A little flirting never hurt right?
Then on the flip side: maybe you're the other person in the relationship... the jealousy and anxious feelings starts to creep in. You notice your significant other has been spending more and more time online, and they seem to get a little antsy when you looking at something on their computer. Do you check up on it yourself, or do you just ask them straight out? Do you trust them to give you an honest answer?
Its just so sad to know that a website designed to connect people and bring people together, is actually causing marriages to fall a part. But a question to throw out there... would people who are "Facebook cheating" find some other place to do it so it doesn't matter if Facebook existed or not, OR is it that Facebook is so simple its led people who wouldn't actually cheat to fall into the trap of innocent chatting that leads to more?
It definitely brings a whole new dimension to trust in relationships and how relationships function in this generation...
I work with a lot of younger people in dating relationships. And they "connect" with their ex's and then they say that the person they are dating now is jealous.
ReplyDeleteIt is not only people being jealous but not knowing what is going on. Anyone could have another life on Facebook or another social networking cite.
I think that people that are in a social networking cite and in a relationship need to establish a set of guideline of who they can friend and what is appropriate discussion over Facebook.
This can change a relationship for the better the woman in the relationship would feel more loved that the man is controlling who he talks to and the man will feel more respected when the woman moderates who she talks to.
Wow. This is really interesting. I hadn't heard about this before. I recently went to Brentwood church and the pastor said that he isn't friends with ANY of his ex-girlfriends on Facebook. He said he has no reason to be friends with them or to keep in touch. I think if you are in a committed relationship, and married especially, there is no need to be friends with or keep in touch with ex-boyfriends or girlfriends. It can just lead to temptation and other issues--like cheating.
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