Facebook has long been the “bad guy” in the discussion about all the ways social media can lead one to file for divorce, but according to a news report from the University of Missouri News Bureau, it looks like Twitter could be ready to take the crown.
Citing new research, the bureau states that Twitter use could actually be damaging to users’ relationships.
“Russell Clayton, a doctoral student in the University of Missouri School of Journalism, found that active Twitter users are far more likely to experience Twitter-related conflict with their romantic partners,” the report stated. “Clayton’s results showed that Twitter-related conflict then leads to negative relationship outcomes, including emotional and physical cheating, breakup and divorce.”
Study Specifics
Clayton surveyed 581 Twitter users “of all ages” in his study, asking participants questions about their Twitter use. Some examples included, how often one logs in, tweets, scrolls through the Twitter newsfeed, sends direct messages to others, and replies to followers.
Also asked, was whether any conflict arose between participants’ current or former partners as a result of Twitter use.
“For example, Clayton asked: ‘How often do you have an argument with your current or former partner because of too much Twitter use?’” the report explained. “Clayton found that the more often a respondent reported being active on Twitter, the more likely they were to experience Twitter-related conflict with their partner.”
This “significantly predicted” negative relationship outcomes like cheating, breakup and filing divorce papers.
Clayton had previously conducted a similar experiment on Facebook, finding that heavy use led to heavy conflict as well.
“I found it interesting that active Twitter users experienced Twitter-related conflict and negative relationship outcomes regardless of length of romantic relationship,” Clayton said. “Couples who reported being in relatively new relationships experienced the same amount of conflict as those in longer relationships.”
What Can Be Done To Stop It?
The obvious answer is “limit use” and increase your amount of actual one-on-one engagement with your spouse or partner.
“Although a number of variables can contribute to relationship infidelity and separation, social networking site usage, such as Twitter and Facebook use, can be damaging to relationships,” Clayton said. “Therefore, users should cut back to moderate, healthy levels of Twitter use if they are experiencing Twitter- or Facebook-related conflict. Some couples share joint social networking site accounts to reduce relationship conflict, and there are some social networking site apps, such as the 2Life app, that facilitates interpersonal communication between partners.”
Here’s a copy of the fully study.
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