<p>The next time you post ‘heading to the gym’ or ‘out at a cafe nearby’ on your Facebook wall, be prepared for the worst! And we are not talking about just stalkers here. <br /><br /></p>.<p>According to a survey conducted by the site Divorce-Online, one third of married couples splitting in the UK last year mentioned Facebook as one of the reasons for their divorces. <br /><br />The survey states that Facebook flirting and comments are leading to an increasing number of divorces. Even in 2010, a survey by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), had found that four out of five lawyers reported an increasing number of divorce cases citing evidence derived from social networking sites in the past five years, with Facebook being the market leader. Metrolife speaks to a few Bangaloreans to find out if Facebook has indeed led to a loss of trust among many. <br /><br />Anita, a lecturer of Home Science at Bishop Cotton Women’s Christian College, agrees. Married for six years, Anita does not have an account on Facebook. “I am not on Facebook as I feel there is no sense of privacy on it. Your comments can create a misunderstanding between you and your spouse. Besides, if your past is spoken about then it becomes all the more problematic.” <br /><br />According to her, “Instead of spending time making friends on Facebook, we can be with our family.” But there are many young married people who don’t blame Facebook at all. “At the end of the day, it is the individual involved in the marriage who is responsible for his or her actions. <br /><br />There is no need to worry if you are responsible and the relationship you share with your spouse is transparent. If your spouse is cheating on you, you will find out anyway with or without the help of a social networking site,” notes Deepthi, a young married professional, who works in a software company. Madan, a film-maker and advertising professional, has made a movie on marriages breaking up.<br /><br /> “I came across this news report and also saw a discussion on this on a news channel,” he says. “My movie was about how the hypersocial lifestyles of young couples are leading to divorces,” he informs. “When I was writing the script, I met advocates handling different types of issues. They said the problem is people don’t spend time with their spouses anymore. They also said that many couples do most of the talking through emails.” <br /><br />He adds, “When it comes to this survey, even in my film, there is a scene in which the wife browses on the computer for long while her husband complains she is not spending enough time with him.” Madan also feels the security on Facebook should be tightened.<br /><br /> “Anyone can create a profile on Facebook these days. Sometimes the hackers are responsible too for creating such tension.” Padmadasri, a counsellor, feels there are a number of reasons for marital discord and Facebook may be one of them.<br /><br /> “I don’t believe that Facebook in itself could be a major reason for divorces. My advice to couples would be if your partner is complaining that you are spending too much time on the computer, just be sensitive to his or her needs and sort the issue out immediately,” she says. “The most important thing to keep in mind is that there is nothing wrong in going to a counsellor and asking for help,” she sums up. <br /></p>
<p>The next time you post ‘heading to the gym’ or ‘out at a cafe nearby’ on your Facebook wall, be prepared for the worst! And we are not talking about just stalkers here. <br /><br /></p>.<p>According to a survey conducted by the site Divorce-Online, one third of married couples splitting in the UK last year mentioned Facebook as one of the reasons for their divorces. <br /><br />The survey states that Facebook flirting and comments are leading to an increasing number of divorces. Even in 2010, a survey by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), had found that four out of five lawyers reported an increasing number of divorce cases citing evidence derived from social networking sites in the past five years, with Facebook being the market leader. Metrolife speaks to a few Bangaloreans to find out if Facebook has indeed led to a loss of trust among many. <br /><br />Anita, a lecturer of Home Science at Bishop Cotton Women’s Christian College, agrees. Married for six years, Anita does not have an account on Facebook. “I am not on Facebook as I feel there is no sense of privacy on it. Your comments can create a misunderstanding between you and your spouse. Besides, if your past is spoken about then it becomes all the more problematic.” <br /><br />According to her, “Instead of spending time making friends on Facebook, we can be with our family.” But there are many young married people who don’t blame Facebook at all. “At the end of the day, it is the individual involved in the marriage who is responsible for his or her actions. <br /><br />There is no need to worry if you are responsible and the relationship you share with your spouse is transparent. If your spouse is cheating on you, you will find out anyway with or without the help of a social networking site,” notes Deepthi, a young married professional, who works in a software company. Madan, a film-maker and advertising professional, has made a movie on marriages breaking up.<br /><br /> “I came across this news report and also saw a discussion on this on a news channel,” he says. “My movie was about how the hypersocial lifestyles of young couples are leading to divorces,” he informs. “When I was writing the script, I met advocates handling different types of issues. They said the problem is people don’t spend time with their spouses anymore. They also said that many couples do most of the talking through emails.” <br /><br />He adds, “When it comes to this survey, even in my film, there is a scene in which the wife browses on the computer for long while her husband complains she is not spending enough time with him.” Madan also feels the security on Facebook should be tightened.<br /><br /> “Anyone can create a profile on Facebook these days. Sometimes the hackers are responsible too for creating such tension.” Padmadasri, a counsellor, feels there are a number of reasons for marital discord and Facebook may be one of them.<br /><br /> “I don’t believe that Facebook in itself could be a major reason for divorces. My advice to couples would be if your partner is complaining that you are spending too much time on the computer, just be sensitive to his or her needs and sort the issue out immediately,” she says. “The most important thing to keep in mind is that there is nothing wrong in going to a counsellor and asking for help,” she sums up. <br /></p>
