On behalf of The Marks Law Firm, L.L.C. posted in Divorce on Monday, February 28, 2011
Nearly everyone has one; it can serve as a diary, an address book or a photo album and many people will spend a good portion of their day using it. We’re talking, of course, about a social media account. Whether it’s Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Four Square or a number of other online networking sites, social media sites have exploded in popularity during the last few years. A concept originally marketed towards college students and teenagers has spread until everyone from rock stars to politicians to elderly grandmas has an online presence.
Online social networking sites help people connect with current friends and colleagues as well as long-lost acquaintances. However, many social media analysts and family therapists agree that websites such as Facebook can also create new opportunities for marital infidelity. According to these experts, more and more divorce cases are citing relationships formed over Facebook or Twitter as the source of marital stress.
A recent article from Missouri news station KSDK relayed the story of one local man whose marriage ended after his now ex-wife reconnected with an old flame over Facebook. The Missouri man reports how his wife’s new online friendship ruined their real-life marriage.
Status updates, photos, and other information made public on social media sites are also being introduced as evidence in divorce proceedings. The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers released a statement claiming that over 80 percent of US divorce attorneys have noted a rising number of spouses using evidence from social media sites to strengthen their case against an ex-partner.
Source: KSDK, “Social media playing a role in divorce cases.” Kyle Weeks, 17 February 2011.