The research, commissioned by the Marriage Foundation, surveyed a huge 2,000 people aged 30 or over who’d been married before. They found that divorce rates were much higher in the early years of marriage if the couple met online, compared to meeting through friends or at university. By online, everything from dating sites through to apps such as Tinder and Grindr was included in the responses.
The results showed that 17% of couples who met their partners online got divorced after seven years. This was considerably higher compared to 10% who met through mutual friends.
It all changes at the 10-year mark
However, by the time couples reach their ‘tin’ anniversary, marking a decade of marriage, something interesting happens to divorce rates. The research found that couples who met online were no longer the most likely to separate.
Instead, people who initially met at work had the highest rate of divorce – with 24% of these former colleagues going their separate ways after 10 years of marriage. People who met online were next at 20%, followed by those who met in a bar (19%) and those via friends, family or a neighbour (15%).
Why does meeting online affect divorce rates?
So, what’s going on? The link between meeting online and divorce is difficult to determine at first glance, but the experts have a few insights into the survey findings. The Marriage Foundation’s research director Harry Benson explains that many couples are supported by social networks in the early years of their relationship. He told the Independent:
“It suggests that in the early years of marriage, couples who meet this way might lack sufficient social capital or close support networks around them to deal with all the challenges they face when compared to those who met via friends, family or neighbours.”
There’s also the issue of compatibility. Savanta ComRes, the consultancy which carried out the research, suggested that people who meet online are “relative strangers”. Due to a lack of mutual connections, it may be difficult for them to find out what they need to know about each other.
They’ll also need to get to know their new spouse’s friends and family from scratch, which can sometimes create friction.
Benson elaborates:
“Our findings in no way undermines or diminishes the vital role of online dating. But it does highlight the greater risks and difficulties of getting to know a relative stranger where reliable sources of background information and subsequent social support are less readily available,”
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