Is Facebook to blame for break-ups?

As good as Facebook and other social networking sites are at building relationships, they are equally as good at wrecking them. The fact that social networking has become so pervasive has caught the attention of researchers. In study after study, the findings are the same – Facebook, Twitter and the like fuel jealousy. Why? Because it’s easy for socially networked couples to assume infidelity and other depraved behavior without all the facts. Think about a “harmless” wall post from an old friend (of the opposite sex) that’s coming to town - “coming to NYC next week, would love to see you. miss you”. Nothing in the post suggests there is, has been, or will be any hanky-panky between the poster and the person whose wall is soon to become the subject of great interest. Nevertheless, for the suspicious-minded nothing else needs to be said. She MUST BE cheating!

The fact is, ever since our communications ceased having to be face to face, the opportunity to misinterpret all sorts of messages has dramatically increased. First it was letters, then phone calls, then email, then texts, and most recently social networking. All of these mediums have one thing in common - they all lack context, causing even the most innocuous message to become so ambiguous that it unleashes the green-eyed monster. Once the gate is open, emotions take over and so begins the rush to accumulate evidence of wrongdoing.

I’m not suggesting that people avoid Facebook or Twitter. I’m merely recommending that some basic precautions be taken to minimize the chance of your “innocent” status update or wall post being taken the wrong way. Here’s just a few that come to mind:

-Avoid DRUNK dials, texts, status updates, or any other “under the influence” communications that aren’t face to face

-De-friend or un-follow any ex’s or prior flings that can’t be trusted to keep the past under wraps, or that still carry a torch for you

-Think carefully about what you’re about to post before actually putting it out there (tip: put the shoe on the other foot and consider how you’d feel if you read the same post on your significant other’s wall)

-Don’t try to hide or misrepresent your relationship status. If you’re in a relationship and care about the person, then don’t downplay it