There have been numerous stories in the media this week about cases where Facebook has contributed directly or indirectly to the breakdown of people's marriages.

There have been numerous stories in the media this week about cases where Facebook has contributed directly or indirectly to the breakdown of people's marriages.

This is a topic the writer has blogged about before (20 July 2009) and unsurprisingly, the rapid growth of Facebook has seen a corresponding growth in cases where it is raised as an issue.

The "Facebook effect" seems to fall into one of four categories:

1. Clients seeing postings on their spouse's Facebook page which suggest inappropriate relationships.
2. Photos or postings inadvertently revealing assets or a lifestyle which contradict pleadings of poverty within the proceedings.
3. The site leading to old friends getting in touch which can then lead to the re-kindling of old romances.
4. People seeing the lifestyle of old school or university friends which they perhaps envy and can lead to a questioning of their own life choices including, in some cases, their marriage.

Although Facebook can be a tremendous source of love and support at a difficult time we would always advise:

1. Do not post anything in relation to the divorce, your finances or ex-spouse.
2. Remember that although you can "block" your ex-spouse your children and friends can still see what you post.
3. Don't just limit being careful to Facebook. Anything which leaves an electronic foot print (including Twitter, text messages etc) can come back to haunt you.

To hear the writer's comments on this topic on BBC Radio 5 Live please click here. The interview is 47 minutes and 46 seconds in.

Contact: James Brown

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