New trend has everything to do with breaking up and taking selfies

If you point your partner to the door and resolutely put an end to it, you might not quickly think about taking a picture for the scrapbook.

Yet it is a new trend: the so-called ‘divorce selfies’. No bickering or sniping or a sneer when leaving the premises, no. Couples who are breaking up a bit hiply quickly take a selfie together. Nice for, uh, later? The idea behind the ‘very last’ selfie as a couple together is that you then share it with the outside world. Yes, just on social media. This way you let everyone know that your relationship is over and that you are okay with it. Everyone is informed about your situation in three seconds, quite practical. You get along well with each other and that is of course only positive. Can it then be, when friends breaking up? That selfie seems to be a wonderful first step. Aren't you being very mature.

But all those selfies are actually not that healthy, if we may break the game a bit unsocial. Because we take quite a few, all together. Research shows that women between 16 and 26 spend an average of five hours a week taking, editing, and posting selfies. We all take about three a day, snapshots of our own faces. That seems innocent, but when you think about what you could have done with all that time... Exactly. For example, looking for that new partner after your break-up selfie.

FACTS

• Couples with more than ten years age difference have a 39 percent higher chance of a break-up.
• Two-thirds of couples who decide to stay together during an unhappy time are completely happy again after five years.
• Women are sadder right after a breakup, but recover faster than men.
• Only six percent of people actually return to an ex (not just for a sleepover) and start a new relationship with that person.