The link between technology and divorce is one that has been discussed at length during the digital age, with the former widely considered to be a key contributor to separations throughout the UK.
Technology (and particularly social media) is also impacting on every aspect of interpersonal relationships, of course, from the way in which they’re developed to the evidence used to support an individual’s reasons for filing divorce papers in the first place.
We’ll explore this further in the post below, whilst asking how much of an impact technology is having on divorce in developed economies around the world.
Social Media and Citations for Divorce
Whilst social media is only 13 years old or so, it has already become a key trigger for divorce cases in the U.S. and the UK.
American studies show that an estimated one in seven divorces are influenced by social media activity, for example, while the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers claim that 20% of all cases are somehow related to Facebook.
Much of this is borne out by the rise of online dating and interaction, as people are increasingly inclined to conduct their romantic relationships online. This applies to both legitimate relationships and affairs, of course, with one-third of all divorce cases involving extra-marital liaisons that started through a dating app. There are also many cheap online divorce service that you can use.
How is Technology Impacting on Divorce Settlements?
At the same time, the rising influence of social media as a key player in divorce battles is also changing the way in which settlements are conducted.
More specifically, applicants may well look to use social conversations or tweets to support their reasons for requesting a divorce, particularly if they’re accessible on shared Facebook or Twitter accounts.
Of course, there’s a danger that some of these conversations could be taken out of context, and subsequently used to support a position unfairly.
This may ultimately lead to unnecessary angst for both spouses and their children, especially if it causes settlement negotiations to continue indefinitely.
The Last Word – Why Human Behaviour Remains the Key Issue in Divorces
Whilst it’s easy to blame technology for these social shifts and the changing nature of divorce, it’s human behaviour that remains central to separations across the length and breadth of the UK.
In this respect, technology does little more than provide more covert platform from which people can conduct affairs or other unsavoury activities, and it’s the responsibility of individual users not to abuse this or the sanctity of their marriages.
It does mean that you’ll have to factor in the impact of technology and social media when organising your divorce settlement, however, with the closure and separation of joint social media profiles (or accounts for which both parties have access) central to this. Fortunately, this type of modern complexity can be unpicked by an expert divorce lawyer like Withers Worldwide, enabling you to focus on the emotional needs of your family during negotiations.
This remains a universal rule of divorce, as regardless of the role that technology plays in causing separations, you’ll always need expert guidance to mediate and secure a mutually-agreeable settlement.