Smartphones make it easy to cheat: Indonesia minister warns of marriage crisis

Indonesia's religious affairs minister, Nasaruddin Umar, has expressed concerns that smartphones and social media are facilitating adultery and undermining marital bonds in the country. He highlighted these issues during a gathering of marriage counsellors on October 30.

Umar warned that if society is not cautious, it risks becoming 'slaves to social media.' This statement coincides with troubling statistics, as nearly 400,000 couples divorced in Indonesia last year. According to the Jakarta Globe, the leading causes of these divorces include persistent conflict, financial pressure, and domestic violence.

Though this figure represents a decline from previous years, officials remain anxious about the social implications of such a high divorce rate. Umar described the situation as entering a 'yellow light' phase of family instability, urging Indonesians to focus on rebuilding households that communicate, care, and pray together.

The statistics from Statistics Indonesia indicate that the number of divorces recorded ranged from 394,000 to 399,000 in 2024, a decrease from 463,654 in 2023 and 516,344 in 2022. The minister's comments underscore the broader implications of digital life on personal relationships, raising critical questions about technology's role in personal integrity and privacy.

As smartphones become ubiquitous, the ease of digital communication can blur the lines of fidelity and trust within marriages. The situation calls for a deeper examination of how social media platforms and smartphone technology affect family dynamics and societal norms, highlighting the need for robust discussions on digital privacy regulations and their impact on personal relationships.

The report emphasizes that the intersection of technology and personal lives continues to evolve, demanding attention from both individuals and policymakers regarding the challenges posed by the digital age.