Social Media Addiction Caused My Marriage to Fail

Social Media Addiction Caused My Marriage to Fail

Despite what you may have heard on the news, divorce rates today are actually down from what they were 20 years ago and the majority of today’s divorces are couples over the age of 50. Nonetheless, the narrative for the past 40 years has been that divorce rates are skyrocketing. In fact, they are not. However, the reasons for divorce have changed with the times, and one of the most intriguing developments is the role that social media plays in divorces today.

Social Media Addiction

Generically defined, addiction is any compulsive behavior that interferes with your life. Social media addiction is thus when one person’s obsession with social media is so all-encompassing that it interferes with their job, marriage, or other key aspects of their life. Experts estimate that 5% to 10% of chronic social media users have “social media addiction.” 

Do I Have Social Media Addiction?

Everyone checks their social media several times a day, but when does this behavior cross the line into addiction? There are several badges of addiction that are universal regardless of the target. For instance, alcoholics may drink more than they intended, try to stop drinking without success, or become agitated when they do not have alcohol. The same can be true for social media addiction. A social media addict may feel anxiety when they cannot access it, their obsession may interfere with other important aspects of their life, and they may not be able to put the apps away, even when they need to do something important. 

Social Media Addiction and Marriage

When canvassed, 15% of people believed that Facebook and other social media sites (but especially Facebook) is dangerous for their marriage. Now that we have access to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week, it is easier to keep them in the forefront of your mind. Suspicious spouses may believe that the other is cheating on them with Facebook friends. In fact, one in 10 spouses admitted to hiding certain posts from their partners on social media while others admitted to having “secret” accounts they kept from their spouses.

Not only are spouses concerned with the types of activities their partners are engaging in on social media, but they are also concerned with the amount of time their partners spend on social media. 

This has resulted in a situation in which 25% of couples report that they have a fight about Facebook on a weekly basis. Another 20% reported that Facebook incidents have caused them to doubt the fidelity or commitment of their spouses.

Social Media and Divorce

The majority of lawyers are now reporting that they use social media evidence in the courtroom to help their clients. We also usually tell our clients to close their social media accounts while their divorce is being litigated to prevent the other attorney from using evidence against our client. 

Contact an Arlington Heights Divorce Attorney Today

Has Facebook destroyed your marriage? An Arlington Heights divorce lawyer can help. Call SAM LAW OFFICE LLC today to learn more.