Facebook has over 500 million active users, with half of those people logging on to their page every day. With numbers like that, it's not hard to see why Facebook has emerged as a major factor in both meeting new people, and breaking up relationships. Quite simply, people have instant access to folks from their past that they would never have had contact with before.
Facebook Makes it Easy to Find and Contact Old Flames
Facebook reveals that the average user on their site has about 130 friends, and on the site as a whole people are spending over 700 billion minutes per month looking at pages, responding to comments, and posting photos. That's a lot of time to put information about yourself out on the Internet for anyone you used to date or have a relationship with to see.
While the object of Facebook is to connect with friends from the past, and even to help promote your business, one unfortunate result of the site is that it is negatively affecting many marriages and relationships. In a recent news story, the top lawyers in the United States noted in a survey that "clients are coming to divorce court armed with Facebook evidence to prove spouses are cheating." The site allows spouses to more easily look for people they used to know as a way to fantasize or complain about their current romantic situation.
How Facebook Makes Cheating Easier
For those unhappy in their relationship, Facebook can seem like an easy solution. If, for example, a husband isn't giving his wife the emotional attention she craves, she can look online and instantly connect with an old flame. If someone is inclined to cheat, Facebook saves them from going to bars or starting up inappropriate relationships with coworkers.
For people in the early stages of a relationship, Facebook can harm by providing too much information too soon. There are times in a relationship to bring up details about past loves and embarrassing situations. With Facebook, a friend can post a picture of someone drunk, hanging out with an ex, or otherwise doing something they wouldn't normally share when newly dating.
Breakups are More Difficult When People Can See Their Ex on Facebook
Breakups, too, have become more difficult because of the social networking site. A recent Wall Street Journal article quoted Yianni Garcia, a New York social media consultant, who said, "Facebook prolongs the period it takes to get over someone, because you have an open window into their life, whether you want to or not."
Regardless of their current romantic status, Facebook users should exercise caution when providing pictures, information, or even notes to their friends. While the site allows for easy interaction, users should think twice before sharing something that could be misconstrued later down the line.
Sources:
Fox News, "Facebook Is Driving the Divorce Rate Up, Says One Survey" June 2, 2010 (accessed December 20, 2010).
Wall Street Journal, " How Facebook Ruins Friendships," August 25, 2009 (accessed December 20, 2010).
Cherie Burbach - Cherie Burbach writes about dating, relationships, health, sports, and lifestyle. She's the author of eleven books and ebooks.
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