Effect of Social Messaging Apps on Married Life

A research was conducted by Shilin Zheng, Yuwei Duan and Michael R.Ward at National School of Development, Peking University, China, Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, China and Department of Economics, University of Texas at Arlington, United States of America.

People think that...

advent of internet has no role as the divorce rate has remained same. People also argue that social, economic and family conditions effect divorce and internet has no role in it. 

This research is important in a way that it has explored the relationship between internet and divorce rate. It has tried to check if social messaging apps has some effect on marital relationships. Research was published in 2018 in International Journal of Technological Forecasting and Social Change. Data was collected from year 2002 to 2014. Data pertaining to divorce was collected from China Civil Affairs Statistical Year Book from year 2003 to 2015. Data related to internet was gathered from China Communications Industry Statistics from year 2003 to 20115. Data regarding social messaging apps was collected from Baidu Trends from year 2011 to 2014.

This research has proved that internet especially social messaging apps has strong relationship with divorce rates. The research has identified that with the increase of 10,000 internet subscribers the divorce rate has increased in 80 couples that results in 8% increase with increase in 100% subscribers. The researchers have also explored how internet increases divorce rates and pointed out three ways. Firstly, areas with low education rates and with higher income groups are more prone to divorces. Secondly, social messaging apps create private space of strangers which is ideal for finding alternative spouses. Thirdly, internet provides a platform for ideas that challenge traditional norms.

From this research we shall conclude that although internet as a very positive role in social and economic development, but it badly challenges our traditional values. To cope with this challenge families must establish strong cultural traditions and reduce gap between parents and kids. Furthermore, spouses shall discuss, share household activities and shall avoid internet usage during that time.

source: http://bit.ly/2ZpRE8L