The Rise of the “Screen Divorce” – Why Couples Are Watching Separately

First came the “sleep divorce,” where couples sleep in separate beds or even rooms to get better rest — often thanks to snoring or different sleep habits. Now, a new relationship trend is gaining buzz: the “screen divorce.”

Coined in a recent Guardian op-ed, a screen divorce simply means couples no longer feel obligated to watch the same shows or movies together. With endless devices — TVs, tablets, phones — it’s easier than ever for partners to enjoy their own entertainment, guilt-free.

Some couples retreat to separate rooms; others stay in the same space, using headphones or different screens. The point? No more suffering through shows you can’t stand.

The Guardian writer shared how her husband gets the TV for sports while she unwinds with her beloved Real Housewives on an iPad. It’s not a sign of relationship trouble — just modern compromise.