The networked world's social habits are changing. As email revolutionised business communication, so social networking has profoundly changed how people interact privately, and even how they start and end relationships. That’s why ESET Ireland has commissioned a survey carried out by Amárach Research on 850 people, to reveal how Irish people react online and on social media after an emotionally stressful event of a relationship break-up.
Although a tiny one per cent would post hostile remarks on their ex's social media, and eight per cent would remove them as contact, letting go is not easy for one in four Irish people. Over 25 per cent stay friends and follow each other's profiles even after breaking up.
Some interesting characteristics were revealed by the demographic breakdown of the survey. For instance, the people of Munster hold the biggest grudges, as 11 per cent of them deleted an ex immediately, while in Connacht and Ulster they seem to be the most forgiving with only four per cent deleting their ex immediately. Age is also a big factor. The youngest age group, 15 to 24, is most active and dynamic online and did all of the above in percentages up to 26 per cent, while the oldest were very passive and no more that six per cent of 55 plus did anything above.
The majority of over 70 per cent of people surveyed have either never broken up, do not use social networking, or last broke up before social networking was a factor. ESET does, however, want to offer some advice for the unfortunate victims of that one per cent of less stable ex-partners. Most social media offer an option to block anyone from contacting you. That should be your first choice if unwanted behaviour occurs. Most social media also offer a report option, where an offender can be reported to the social media administrators and if they are found to be regular offenders they may be banned from using that social media service. In the extreme case of receiving direct threats, blackmail or other hostile behaviour, it is best to contact your local Garda station, as gardaí also deal with online crime and will offer you advice or take appropriate action.
