If we look back at the past 10 years, phones have become very important for communication. For young, they usually use their mobile phones for love relationships. Some call their sweethearts to talk and flirt, while others ‘accidently’ call someone, and then they start to flirt.

While there is significant updating of technology, most youths stick with Facebook. They use the social network to share news, write things, post pictures or videos, and communicate with their friends. However, some young people are using Facebook for more than just

friendship – to start a relationship. Love can occur anytime and anywhere, from face to face meetings, phone calls, to social networks. Using these methods of communication, people can find true love and marriage. However, it will be broken if the couple does not understand each other well.

Recently, Facebook published sad news about a girl who met with bad luck, and it became a hot issue on social network. According to news published by Koh Santipheap newspaper on April 12, a 16-year-old girl had a relationship with a man, Pov, via Facebook. This relationship was close, which led the girl to dare go for a walk with him at 10pm.

While the youth drove her to a quiet place, he suddenly raped her, which led to her getting pregnant. This caused a big issue in court after the victim tried to commit suicide by taking medicine because of the mental and physical effects of the rape.

With the case above in mind, what affects do social media have on Khmer society?

“[Facebook] is democracy, but we say that because we think it is democracy, it becomes anarchy, which makes troubles for Khmers’ wonderful traditions and customs,” said Po Samnang, head of National Cultural and Moral Center.

Furthermore, there is the question of whether Facebook helps or hurts real-world relationships.

“I never get love via Facebook, and I also don’t believe someone else easily,” said Facebook user Tang Gechhor, 20. “We can’t know others clearly because we know already that anyone can create a fake account and profile on Facebook. So getting love via Facebook is very risky.”

However, there are cases of strong relationships being formed after meeting on Facebook. For instance, Chhav Chheny, 25, said that his girlfriend had been friends with him on Facebook for one year before they fell in love.

“I dare decided to meet her because we knew and studied each other clearly via Facebook and mobile phones everyday. Belief and confidence from one to another offered us satisfying results.”

Although some youths reach their goals while the others get crises, everyone should think clearly before believing what they see on Facebook.

As a mother, Nary said that according to other news about the problems of falling in love via

Facebook, she also worries about her children. She always observes and advises her children on how to use Facebook because it offers both advantages and disadvantages.

“Children always like some entertainment and updated things. So we can’t ban them, but we explain, observe and educate.”