ABU DHABI // Marital disputes are on the rise because of the misuse of technology and social-media applications, experts have said.
Wedad Lootah, a marriage counsellor at Dubai Judicial Department, said that in her experience, infidelity was the main cause of marital disputes, with social media often playing a significant role.
“Even if we don’t talk about it, and it is neglected by the community, infidelity is still the main reason,” she said.
Social media, Ms Lootah said, was often related to the infidelity in that it made communication “fast and easy”.
“Long ago, we didn’t have such communication mediums. Now there are numerous ways of connecting to each other, and people are taking advantage of it,” she said.
Indirect infidelity is the use of text messages, chat rooms or phone calls. This will often lead to direct infidelity, which is meeting with the other party for possible sexual relations, Ms Lootah said.
Last week, The National reported that a lack of communication, patience and infidelity were the main reasons cited in 2,557 cases relating to family and children's issues that came before Sharjah courts.
Habeeb Al Hosani, a lawyer, said that misuse of technology often contributed to marital problems and eventually divorce.
“It has been found that technology is one of the reasons behind marital disputes. It is a double-edged sword. The cutting edge is using such technologies in the establishment of relationships,” he said.
Many couples resort to relationships via social-networking sites and applications because there is something missing in the existing relationship.
“Social networking helps fill that gap, which enables infidelity,” he said.
Ms Lootah said that for a family to interact harmoniously, children had to be involved in family decisions and the couple needed to communicate.
She blamed technology for poor communication between parents and children.
“We miss communication – there is no talking between them any more because the child is stuck with an electronic device,” she said.
“Ask your children for their opinion, take into consideration what they say. Include them so in the future they will do the same.”
She suggested giving children devices for only a short time each day or week, and to set passwords so children cannot access the device on their own.
Couples must also learn to communicate better, she said.
“They must dedicate an hour or more for talking, plain talking. They must tell each other about their day, what they are thinking of and how their day went. It will bring them closer together.”
She urged families to plan a weekend filled with social gatherings away from electronic devices and social media.
“Create a schedule for the family, make time for your children and spend hours with them. Many families lack social skills now, and I blame social-networking applications,” she said.
She also stressed that it was important for couples to have time alone, without the children, in order to reconnect.
aalkhoori@thenational.ae
