Liking social media 'thirst traps' now grounds for divorce, top court rules

A court has ruled that a common social media act undermines marital trust and can be used as evidence in divorce proceedings.

Liking ‘thirst traps’ on social media could be grounds for divorce – in Türkiye, at least.

In a landmark ruling, a Turkish court has determined that ‘liking’ other women’s social media posts can be used as evidence in divorce proceedings.

The Court of Cassation, Türkiye’s highest court, found that a man from the major city of Kayseri, “undermined marital trust” by repeatedly liking other women’s photos online.

Liking social media posts could land you in hot water during divorce proceedings in Türkiye. Picture: iStock

Court found man more at fault

Both the husband, identified as S.B, and the wife, H.B, filed for divorce.

She accused her husband of belittling her, failing to provide financial support, and breaching his duty of loyalty by interacting with other women’s posts, according to local reports.

The husband claimed his wife insulted his father, showed excessive jealousy, and shared offensive comments online.

Ultimately, the court ruled that the husband was more at fault, and he was ordered to pay damages and spousal support.

Turkish courts found that a man ‘liking’ other women’s social media posts ‘undermined trust’. Picture: iStock

Legal ramifications

While this case sets a precedent in Türkiye, experts say it doesn’t carry any legal weight in Australia.

“Australian law is very different from Turkish law,” lawyer Jahan Kalantar from Executive Legal tells news.com.au.

“Turkish law is an ‘at-fault’ system, so if somebody is responsible for the breakdown of the marriage, it will have some sort of impact.”

Australia, on the other hand, operates under a strict no-fault divorce system, introduced in 1975.

“In Australia, the grounds for divorce are what’s called irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, and it’s proven by 12 months of separation with no need to show any sort of wrongdoing,” Kalantar explains.

‘Micro-cheating’

While its unlikely your online behaviour will be used in an Australian courtroom, it can still take a toll on your relationship.

In recent years, social media behaviour, from ‘likes’ to DMs, has fuelled debates about ‘micro-cheating’, a term coined by Australian psychologist Melanie Schilling to describe small but meaningful acts of betrayal.

Some consider this a form of ‘micro-cheating’. Picture: iStock

Schilling described micro-cheating as “a series of seemingly small actions” that “indicate a person is emotionally or physically focused” on someone “outside their relationship”.

Often, these acts come to light when one partner starts monitoring the other’s digital footprint for signs of disloyalty.

‘Be respectful’

Mr Kalantar has one parting message: Your online behaviour matters – legally or not.

“The number one thing that brings down people is usually their behaviour, and social media just gives you a platform to largely announce your behaviour to the world,” he said.

“While it’s not strictly relevant in a legal context, the way you conduct yourself online is going to have consequences, including making your partner very upset.

“Can it be used as grounds for divorce in Australia? No. But should you still be respectful of your partner? Absolutely.”

Originally published as Liking social media 'thirst traps' now grounds for divorce, top court rules