Many things have changed in the information age, and one of them is the availability of instant access to a huge network of friends and acquaintances through social media applications. Facebook has become ubiquitous in modern life, and almost anywhere you go, you can observe people combing through their Facebook news feeds on their mobile devices.

But could Facebook and other social media sites increase the likelihood of divorce? Apparently, that is the conclusion of a study published in the July 2014 issue of the journal Computers in Human Behavior.

In the study, researchers compared rates of Facebook use in given states with rates of divorce. They found that every 20 percent increase in the proportion of a state’s population with a Facebook account was associated with an increase of 2.18 percent in the divorce rate. In addition to an increased divorce rate, the authors of the study said that using social media corresponds with lower levels of reported marital quality and happiness, and with higher rates of relationship troubles and thoughts of divorce.

The researchers emphasized that while their results are worth exploring further, correlation does not necessarily imply causation. Many factors contribute to the decision to divorce, and using social media may or may not actually “cause” a divorce.

If you are considering divorce, whatever your reasons, getting your divorce case resolved favorably and reasonably expediently can help ease your transition back into single life. An experienced divorce attorney can give you the best shot at the best outcome possible.

Source: CBS Sacramento, “Study: Facebook Users More Likely To Divorce,” July 20, 2014