Social Media Leads to Splitsville

Social media is now blamed for a whole bunch of breakups these days.  In fact, one survey indicates it’s responsible for the demise of most relationships.  Really. 

The survey included 1,953 Brits, who had all ended a serious relationship or marriage in the last two years, meaning they were the “dumper,” not the “dumpee.”

That number includes various types of married and unmarried relationships.  24% of the respondents had been married, 41% had been living together, and 35% had been living separately before parting ways.

The findings showed 79% of respondents said they were using social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram during their relationships, and 36% had met their ex online, including dating sides.  But listen to this: 54% said they felt social media played a role in the breakup, with 34% saying their ex met someone new on social media, and 17% complaining their ex ignored them in favor of social media.

That’s easy enough for me to believe.  I know I’ve been consumed by social media in the past and have no doubt it damaged my relationship.  And I’ve been hurt by the impact of social media choices from those I care about, too.

Other parts of the survey are equally interesting.  The findings showed social media also played a role in breakups by giving people a false sense of confidence, with 23% of respondents saying they entered a relationship believing they knew the person better than they did, given their social media profiles. There was also a comparison component: 12% said that seeing other happy couples on social media led them to realize they weren’t happy in their own relationship.

One final point: In May 2013, a survey of 4,000 women around the world by AVG Technologies found that 19% of women ages 18-25 said they have ended a relationship by posting on Facebook, while 38% of women in the same age-range said they have broken up via text message.

Sad, right?