How Facebook can ruin your relationship: 'Site induced jealousy' increases risk of divorce and break-up

Facebook and social networking sites may be good for our social lives, but they can cause havoc in our romantic relationships, according to a new study.

From emotional and physical cheating to break-up and divorce, researchers found 'Facebook-induced jealousy' significantly increased the risks for couples of all ages, The Daily Mail reports.

Research found that conflict was much more likely to occur when the website was used excessively, because some people tended to jealously monitor their partner's activity or even to reconnect with ex-partners.

The study, led by Dr Russell Clayton, of the University of Missouri, U.S., surveyed Facebook users aged between 18 and 82, asking them how much they used the social network and how often they had bust-ups with their partners - past or present - that had been ignited by the site.

Dr Clayton said: ‘Previous research has shown that the more a person in a romantic relationship uses Facebook, the more likely they are to monitor their partner's Facebook activity more stringently, which can lead to feelings of jealousy.
‘Facebook-induced jealousy may lead to arguments concerning past partners.