More than a third of divorce filings last year contained the word Facebook, according to a U.K. survey by Divorce Online, a legal services firm. And over 80% of U.S. divorce attorneys say they've seen a rise in the number of cases using social networking, according to the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. "I see Facebook issues breaking up marriages all the time," says Gary Traystman, a divorce attorney in New London, Conn. Of the 15 cases he handles per year where computer history, texts and emails are admitted as evidence, 60% exclusively involve Facebook.

"Affairs happen with a lightning speed on Facebook," says K. Jason Krafsky, who authored the book "Facebook and Your Marriage" with his wife Kelli. In the real world, he says, office romances and out-of-town trysts can take months or even years to develop. "On Facebook," he says, "they happen in just a few clicks." The social network is different from most social networks or dating sites in that it both re-connects old flames and allows people to "friend" someone they may only met once in passing. "It puts temptation in the path of people who would never in a million years risk having an affair," he says. Facebook declined to comment. Continue reading

Sources

• Smart Money
• Image: Kiwi Commons

Faldas, head of the NYD Steering Committee said, social networks provide a way for people to openly the challenge the Church, whereas in the past people would not dare speak against the Church's teachings.

"This postmodern age, we might come to the point (when) it's not any more the Church age, the Church has lost its voice in a certain way. Maybe in our country, the Church is still strong but worldwide, we could see in other countries (the Church has lost its voice)." he said.

Faldas said "bad" influences coming from Facebook and Twitter could be an uphill battle, but the Philippines was not alone in the tough challenge it faces to combat them.

"This is already a sign that the influence of the Church, even in the predominantly Christian countries such as Spain, (is weakening). They openly defy the Church, before nobody would have the courage to do that."

The priest said he wants the Church to do something about it and unless it does, the Church will be further undermined.

Education is the key Faldas said.

Source

• Philippines Star
• Image: Technorati