A man has been ordered to pay alimony and damages after Turkey's highest appeals court ruled that repeatedly liking other women's photos on social media constitutes a breach of the obligation of marital fidelity.
The unusual case first emerged in the central Turkish city of Kayseri, where a woman, identified only by the initials HB, accused her husband of repeatedly humiliating and insulting her.
She also alleged that he spent excessive time on social media, liking photos of other women and leaving suggestive comments. Her lawyers argued that this behavior violated the legal obligation of fidelity in marriage, expressly provided for in the Turkish Civil Code, and sought financial damages.
The husband, identified as SB, denied the allegations and filed a counterclaim for divorce, claiming that his wife had insulted his father and that her jealousy had damaged his reputation.
After considering both sides, the local family court ruled that the man bore greater responsibility, finding that his behavior on social media was continuous and public, not a single, random mistake.
The judges ordered him to pay 1,000 Turkish liras per month in alimony (about £25) and 60,000 liras in damages (about £1,500). In its written reasoning, the court stressed that online behavior cannot be treated as something trivial.
The decision comes at a time when relationship counselors warn that Christmas and New Year are often associated with increased marital problems and, in January, with a wave of divorce applications.
"These seemingly harmless online interactions can increase emotional insecurity and disrupt the balance of the relationship," the decision states.
SB appealed the decision, arguing that the amounts set were excessive. However, the decision was upheld by the Yargıtay, the Court of Cassation in Turkey – equivalent to a supreme court for civil cases.
Upholding the findings of the first instance court, the Yargıtay confirmed that repeatedly liking other women's photos on social media could constitute a breach of marital fidelity under Turkish law.
Although the case has sparked online jokes, lawyers say the ruling carries real weight, having been passed at the highest judicial level. Some warn that screenshots, messages and digital data will increasingly be used as evidence when courts assess fault in divorce proceedings.
"Now, screenshots, messages and all digital interactions will be taken into account to determine the responsibility of each party. I advise citizens to keep this in mind when using social media," a lawyer told the Turkish newspaper Haberler.
The decision reflects growing concern about so-called "micro-cheating," a term used by psychologists and counselors to describe covert or flirtatious behavior that doesn't rise to the level of a physical betrayal but still damages trust.
Micro-cheating usually involves repeated or flirtatious engagement with someone outside of the relationship, especially when it is public, secret, or downplayed as harmless. Experts emphasize that it is rarely a single “like,” but rather a pattern of behavior and the message it conveys over time.
Counselors say warning signs include increased secrecy around the phone, being overly protective when asked questions, deleting messages or prioritizing online attention over the partner. While this behavior doesn't necessarily constitute cheating, experts warn that it can gradually erode emotional security and fuel resentment.
They add that the festive period often exacerbates existing tensions in relationships, as work holidays, alcohol, social gatherings and increased use of social media test the limits of trust. Relationship organisations say Christmas is often a flashpoint for conflicts over phones, texting and online behaviour – especially where trust is already fragile.
In the UK, family lawyers regularly report a surge in divorce applications in January, particularly in the first working week of the new year, often dubbed “Divorce Day”, when couples reassess their relationships after the stress of the holidays. Official data shows that formal divorce applications often follow later, in the spring, when decisions are turned into legal action. /GazetaExpress/
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