I sometimes google news of Second Life, or Rod Humble, to see if there’s any news on Second Life or Rod Humble! So today I discover a story that claims that a man’s addiction to Second Life was cited in a divorce case. The story claims that the man, who can’t be named (and nor can his avatar) spent twenty five hours a week in Second Life.
He was also said to be addicted to watching porn on his computer, one would hope he was not partaking in adult activities in Second Life and then going for more outside of Second Life! There are claims that this may be the first case whereby Second Life has been cited in a divorce case, but it’s unfortunately not, in 2008 there was the Dave Barmy affair. This one involves all sorts of shennanigans, including a honey trap!
Then there’s a case that was apparently reported in the now defunct News Of The World, but made its way to the Huffington Post: Second Life Divorce: Woman Catches Husband In Virtual Gay Affair :
“I saw John’s little person having it off with another man in a dungeon on the screen,” said horrified Lisa, 28.
This sort of thing isn’t specific to Second Life, Facebook and other social media sites have been cited in divorce cases and I expect this to increase, especially as we embrace the digital world more firmly. The issue isn’t really Second Life, or Facebook, there will be far deeper issues involved in all of these cases, ones that will make more sense and should be taken more seriously.