You thought you and your girl were getting along great, so why didn’t she “like” the last photo you posted? And who is that guy whose friend request she just accepted, anyway?
If you suspect that Facebook might be fueling your jealous tendencies or tempting you by making it too easy to stay in touch with an ex, you’re probably right.
According to a study published in the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, couples who spent a lot of time on Facebook were more likely than lighter users of the site to have a “negative relationship outcome”—think emotional or physical cheating or breakup/divorce.
It’s worth noting that researchers surveyed only people who had been coupled-up for a max of 3 years, so it’s unclear whether Facebook-related squabbles would have the same impact on a decades-long marriage.
But it’s a good reminder to prioritize your real-life relationships over your virtual ones. At the very least, don’t forget to “friend” your significant other: Another study found that 64 percent of Facebook users are friends with their exes on the site, while only 56 percent are friends with their current partners.
This article 3 Ways Facebook Could Be Messing With Your Head was originally published by our partners at Prevention.com.