The Curse Of Social Media, Jeopardising Marriages

By Chukwuneta Oby

I have always likened Facebook (and co) for some people to a child who finds himself in a candy shop and suddenly realises that he can actually have any candy of his choice by merely expressing enough interest. What with suddenly realising that an object of your desire is just a click away?

The benefit of the social media in this age cannot be overemphasised. Personally, I have met valuable friends on Facebook (for example), who have become ‘family’ to me… but it is also of a huge concern to me that same is rather becoming an albatross to even the healthiest of relationships. A male friend blamed things on what he calls ‘available girls’ throwing themselves at men.

We all know that the social media has become a ‘playground’ of sorts for some married persons, whom one assumed know where to draw the lines but it is disappointing to realise that a sane family man/woman will knowingly jeopardise his/her marriage for activities in the virtual world.

It was a weekend with a hurting wife. You know how devastating it feels when you suddenly realise that the spouse you could vouch for is far from the persona he presents? That was the experience of this lady. All came in the open on the day that he forgot to log off the internet and she needed to use the computer. She did not only realise that her husband has numerous fake online identities (with which he preyed on young girls), he has also been sending them money…same man that asks her to ‘try and understand’ whenever she pointed to the fact that the money he makes is never felt at home,as regards the needs of the household.

A lot of people (single and married) on the social media are mischievous but for one to jeopardise his marriage/family welfare over girls (that string other men along) he meets on Facebook is most disappointing. We have been heaping insults on ‘some people’ at the Senate but some men do worse, from the comforts of their laptop/BlackBerry. Most of the so called Facebook girls have simply ‘ported’ from standing on the streets to hustling men on  the social media…just so you know what you are allowing yourself to get into-when that girl jumps on you with all ‘pleasure offers’.

Is it the shameful conduct of some ladies (especially the supposed married ones) on the social media? Some of them even deny their marital status on Facebook. Our values are consistently being thrown to the dogs and I worry a lot for the young ones coming after us. What values are we bequeathing to them, if we have to lose our heads this fast because of technology?

Transparency between couples comes handy here. Carry your spouse along in your activities on the social media. Have your ‘relationship status’ clearly stated on your profile-not that it will deter anybody that is bent on being mischievous. However, I like the type that reads ‘in a relationship with/married to…then your partner’s name.’

Another attitude to imbibe is discipline. Whoever has substance will never throw herself at you. Before becoming friends with anybody on the social media, have a peek at their wall …are their status updates more of photos and senseless posts? I know that the social media is also for those that want to re-establish contact with old friends but a man/woman who has 95 per cent of the opposite sex(much younger girls-in the case of a married man) as friends- deserves a question mark!

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The opinion article was written By  Chukwuneta Oby and the contents represents the writers views and not that of NewsWireNGR