Facebook and Marriage

I read this article today.   http://www.fox13now.com/news/kstu-divorce-facebook-use-cited-in-a-growing-number-of-divorces-20120216,0,6371411.story  In case you don't want to click on the link, it is talking about how many, many divorces are cause by infidelity and many of those can be tracked back to relationships that start with social networking.  I personally know of three families that have ended because of infidelity that started on facebook.  We can not take this lightly!  We can not assume that our marriage is safe!  Satan has waged a full scale war against the family.  NO ONE IS EXEMPT!  We can not sit back and assume that our family is safe and our marriage is solid.  So many people I know are putting their family at risk.  We really can not afford to be passive about this issue that is so toxic to families.  We need to actively protect our marriage and the people we love.  When Hubby and I were considering getting facebook pages for the first time, we set down some rules.  We had already been through our issue and were not willing to put ourselves in a risky place again.  Here they are....

1.  Let everyone know right upfront that you are married.  Hubby and I both have a picture of us together as our profile picture. Our accounts so that we are married and are linked to each other.  

2.  The article mentions that married couples should either share passwords, or share accounts.  Hubby and I share passwords, not just to facebook, but to all online accounts, and emails.  This also applies to our children. We have FULL access to their accounts.  We let them know right up front that that while we value their privacy, there is no privacy online and we can and will read EVERYTHING!  

3.  NO old boyfriends or girlfriends at all.  Just don't do it. 

4.  NO long chats or emails with members of the opposite sex.  I don't care how innocent you think it is.  Just don't do it.  For example, if I have to ask the Scout leaders about something, I put it in an email message or better yet will log into my husbands account to send a message to them.  Do I think something will happen if I chat with them?  No.  Am I willing to even take that slight of chance?  Not at all.  

5.  Be very, very careful who you vent to when you are frustrated with your husband or wife.  For me, I have one friend who I can vent to, and that is only because she and I preface every statement with "You know I love Hubby, but....."  We both know that we are committed 100% to our husbands. Sometimes we need to vent, but it is rare.  We make a conscience effort to speak about the men we love in a positive way *in private*!  Which brings me to 6

6.  Keep private things private.  They have no place in a public forum.

7.  Surround  yourself on and off the internet with people who will love and support your marriage. Your marriage and family are the most important projects of your life!  Make sure everyone knows that.  

8.  Turn off the computer every now and then.  Make plenty of time talk to your sweetheart face to face.  

9,  Treat your marriage like the most priceless precious thing you have, because it is.