Does Social Media Usage Result In Divorce? Apparently

According to data from the Office for National Statistics, around 1 in 6 marriages in the UK ends in divorce by the 10th anniversary.

Now, new research from Divorce-Online, the UK’s leading online divorce service reveals that social media can play a crucial role in marriages breaking down. The research examined over 5,000 divorce cases from the past 5 years where social media was cited as a contributing factor to the relationship breaking down.

It wasn’t just using or having social media that was the issue but instead how and why these platforms were used.

The data shows Facebook remains the most frequently mentioned platform in divorce proceedings, appearing in 46% of cases where social media played a role. Many cases involved discovery of inappropriate messages or reconnections with former partners.

“We’ve seen a steady rise in cases where Facebook interactions have undermined trust between spouses,” says Mark Keenan, CEO of Divorce-Online. “The platform’s private messaging features and ability to connect with past relationships creates a perfect storm for marital problems.”

However, the Meta-verse doesn’t end there. Instagram was cited in 30% of social media-related divorce cases with jealousy over photo interactions and suspicious following patterns.

“The way Instagram allows people to build close connections through interactions that appear innocent from the outside is particularly problematic,” Keenan explains.

“A spouse liking certain photos or exchanging direct messages can quickly breed mistrust.”

The most common behaviour cited in proceedings was excessive time spent online, with partners reporting that their spouses prioritised online interactions over their relationship.

“Many clients tell us their partner is physically present but mentally absent – constantly scrolling through feeds instead of engaging with family life,” says Keenan. “This creates an emotional distance that can be just as damaging as physical absence.”

Secret conversations with former partners or new acquaintances ranked second at 38%, while online affairs that began on social platforms accounted for 28% of cases.

Notably, 14% of cases cited ‘public oversharing’, too.

Keenan shares: “The ease with which people can maintain private conversations alongside their marriage creates temptations that simply didn’t exist before social media. We’re seeing cases where long-dormant connections reignite through a simple friend request.”

Keep that no contact going strong!

The study’s findings align with recent research from Ofcom, which reports that adults now spend an average of four and a half hours online daily – up 10 minutes from last year. Women spend 26 minutes longer online than men, with a daily average of 4 hours and 43 minutes.

Particularly concerning for relationships is that half of all time online is now spent on Alphabet and Meta-owned services, which include several platforms identified as problematic in the divorce study.

“The combination of increased screen time and the concentration of that time on a few dominant platforms creates a perfect environment for relationship strain,” Keenan observes.

Maybe it’s time to review your own social media usage?