Internet and texting blamed for divorce increase

1.00pm - By TERRY KIRBY

LONDON - The growth of text messaging and the popularity of internet reunion sites were blamed yesterday for fuelling a rise in divorce rates, which have reached a seven-year high in Britain.

According to figures released by the Office of National Statistics, there were 153,490 divorces in England and Wales last year, a rise of 5755 over the previous year and the third successive annual increase.

It is the highest total since 1996 and suggests that around four out of ten marriages end in divorce.

Relate, the marriage guidance body, said that around a tenth of all its cases were now influenced by the internet.

It said people were finding it easier to have affairs than before, by using such methods as text messaging and emails which allow discreet communication.

The internet and in particular the massive growth of Friends Reunited, which now allows people to search for individuals whether or not they were at school or work with them, has helped people renew contact with former friends and ex-lovers, leading in many cases to the breakdown of their existing relationship.

Other internet developments, such as dating services and chatrooms also allow the opportunity for extra-marital activities.

Christine Northam, a senior counsellor for Relate said: "In my experience, the internet has had a big impact and is influencing a number of affairs.

People sit in front of their computer screens all day and are using their spare time to find out what happened to old flames or embark on something new; it makes it all very easy."

People having difficulties in their current relationships were more likely to look at the past through rose tinted glasses, she said.

David Allison, a solicitor and mediator with the specialist London law firm, Family Law in Partnership, said: "This is part of a pattern that we are seeing as well, where modern methods of communication are a factor in divorce cases; its so easy to keep track of people by the internet.

"But while they do allow people to conduct affairs discreetly, they also leave a trail of evidence - by way of text messages and emails - and that can lead to break ups if they are discovered."

Recent high profile cases of couples affected by Friends Reunited include David James, the England goalkeeper, who split up with Tanya, his wife of 13 years and mother of their four children, when he had an affair with a girlfriend from his school days, Amanda Salmon, whom he met through the website.

She also left her partner, although she is now said to be no longer with James, who is divorcing his wife.

Yesterday, it was disclosed that Tony Stubley, 39, a policeman and the £2m winner of this week's lottery, is divorcing his wife after beginning an affair with Jean Wells, who was his teenage girlfriend and is now his partner. She also left her husband.

But counsellors also pointed out that other factors apart from the internet were contributing to the divorce rate - the long-hours culture in the workplace, as well as the lack of stigma about divorce in society.

The increasing number of people from divorced backgrounds was making it less likely that people saw divorce as a bad thing - although Relate pointed out that it also served as a counter to divorce.

The figures also show that the average age of getting divorced has risen slightly to between 30 and 34 for men and 25 to 29 for women, possibly as a result of the tendency to marry latter in life.

Around 154,000 children were affected by the divorces last year - including 34,000 under five.

- INDEPENDENT