A newly released survey suggests the rise of social networking comes with a price. That price could mean the end of marriages for some couples.
Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg just tied the knot with his long-time girlfriend during a small ceremony in California over the weekend.
But could Facebook ruin their wedding bliss?
Lawyers say Facebook has been known as a contributing factor to an increasing number of marriage breakups.
“We have a new player in town,” says divorce attorney Raoul Felder. “It’s social networking.”
“You could go on your boyfriend or girlfriend’s Facebook and see a message – they’ve been messaging someone behind your back and you don’t know,” says Facebook user Alex Langen.
According to a survey by Divorce Online, more than a third of divorce filings last year contained the word Facebook.
“Facebook is a factor in divorces,” says divorce attorney Alan Pransky. “Spouses are always trying to spy on the other one using computers.”
According to the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, more than 80-percent of divorce attorneys in the U.S. say they’ve seen a rise in the number of cases citing social networking as a factor in the breakup.
While experts warn Facebook doesn’t always lead to extra-marital affairs, one man suggests they don’t call it social networking for nothing.
“I guess Facebook helps you meet people and it’s meeting people and getting interested in people, that’s the foundation of cheating, right?”
Another man points out there is an option for people in relationships. “If they’re not on it, they won’t be able to get caught, right?
Judges also seem to allow Facebook evidence in divorce court, since the social networking site is open to the public.
The people who run Facebook have not commented on the study.