Yes. A family member of mine thought it was acceptable to air all our personal, dirty family business on Facebook in a ploy to be vengeful. That was the final straw for me and I have cut all ties. So have some other family members and friends of hers.
I personally don't play dirty like that, no matter how angry I may be. Personal battles between close friends and family should NEVER be fought on a public stage. It's cowardly and cruel.
I'm not sure that you can say it's completely because of the internet, but I do think that the internet makes it easier for people to engage in certain behaviors that end relationships.
E.G, gossip, like Pea Pod mentions above. Without the internet, the family member she mentions would only be able to air unfortunate personal family business to a few people he/she sees around town, etc. I'm sure this person would still be a gossip, but it wouldn't have the same impact and might not get back to Pea Pod and other family members.
Cheating also comes to mind, and I've known people whose relationships have ended over internet affairs, or real life affairs that began on the internet. Perhaps there wouldn't be so many cheaters if the internet didn't make it so easy? I don't know.
You know, I do think that without the internet, porn addiction wouldn't be nearly as common, and I know people whose relationships have ended because of that.
Love what you say here Savvy and I am glad this got posted. While the Internet itself doesn't end relationships, the easy availability to spread lies, gossip, and call people horrible names is certainly doing a lot of damage. Seems to me there was a time that people could work out their stuff because you didn't have a public audience. Once words go out there, they never come back and there is little chance people just get over that.
Not personally but I've heard of a cyber widow: The name of a wife who is ignored by her husband because of online gaming. (urban dictionary)
This post was edited by Beans/SilentGeneration at March 23, 2018 11:51 AM MDT
Very good addition that I had not considered. That is the biggest divider of all, but you know what? It probably has hushed a lot of would-be arguments couples have because they are bored out of their socks and have nothing else to do but pick on their mate.
SavvyAnsley 