Saudi man divorces wife for ignoring his Whatsapp messages !

*The WhatsApp Divorce: A Modern Dilemma in Saudi Arabia*

In a shocking turn of events, a Saudi man has divorced his wife due to her persistent ignoring of his WhatsApp messages. This incident has sparked a heated debate about the role of social media in relationships and the consequences of neglecting one's partner in the digital age.

*The Incident*

The couple, married for two years, had a seemingly ordinary relationship until the husband noticed his wife's excessive use of her phone. She would spend hours chatting with friends and family, neglecting her responsibilities as a wife and mother. When the husband tried to reach out to her via WhatsApp, she would read his messages but fail to respond. This lack of response, coupled with her constant phone use, became the final straw that led to the breakdown of their marriage ¹ ².

*The Role of WhatsApp*

WhatsApp's "read receipt" feature, which indicates when a message has been read by the recipient, played a significant role in this incident. The husband knew his messages had been read, but his wife's failure to respond led him to feel ignored and unappreciated. This feature, intended to facilitate communication, ultimately contributed to the demise of their relationship ³.

*Social Media and Relationships*

This incident highlights the impact of social media on relationships. Excessive phone use can lead to feelings of neglect and isolation, even in the presence of a partner. The wife's constant chatting with friends and family may have been a coping mechanism or a way to maintain social connections, but it ultimately drove a wedge between her and her husband.

*Cultural Context*

In Saudi Arabia, where social media is widely used, this incident raises questions about the expectations placed on couples. The husband's decision to divorce his wife over ignored WhatsApp messages may seem extreme, but it underscores the importance of communication in relationships. In a society where marriage is often viewed as a cornerstone of social stability, the breakdown of a relationship due to social media use can have significant consequences ⁴.

*Rise in Divorce Cases*

This incident is not an isolated one. A 2011 UK survey by Divorce Online found that more than a third of divorce cases contained the word "Facebook." With the increasing use of social media, it's likely that more couples will face similar challenges. In Saudi Arabia alone, over 57,500 divorces were registered in the last few months of 2020, a 12.7% increase compared to 2019 ⁵ ⁴.

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*Conclusion*

The WhatsApp divorce serves as a cautionary tale about the potential consequences of excessive phone use and neglecting one's partner. As social media continues to play a larger role in our lives, couples must navigate the challenges it presents. Effective communication, mutual understanding, and setting boundaries around phone use can help mitigate these challenges and strengthen relationships.