Published: 2026-06-30

Digital dependency in relation to marriage nullity decisions

Rafał Kamiński Profil ORCID autora Rafał Kamiński
Ius Matrimoniale
Section: Rozprawy i artykuły
DOI https://doi.org/10.21697/im.2637103

Abstract

In the presented article, the author addresses the issue of new addictions that may be the result of misuse and abuse of modern technologies and their impact on the ability to enter into a canonical marriage. The common denominator of Internet addiction includes: addiction to cybersex (virtual sex), addiction to cyber relationships (virtual relationships); Net Gaming (addiction to online games), pathological gambling (e-gambling), video games, compulsive online shopping and online trading (trading), cognitive overload caused by excessive information and general computer addiction. After an introduction to the topic of establishing relationships in the modern world and a general description of forms of addiction, the author presents nine cases for declaring marriage invalid. Eight of them were decided by the Supreme Tribunal of the Roman Rota, and one is pending before an ecclesiastical court in Poland. The aim of the study was to present the line of jurisprudence in the event of addiction to digital technologies as a psychological cause that may cause inability to consensually. On the basis of the presented judgments, it is not possible to establish a systemic position, but the influence of the established principles of rotal jurisprudence in cases concerning consensual incapacity is visible.

Keywords:

marriage, Roman Rota, sentence, Internet addiction, consensual inability, new addictions

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Citation rules

Kamiński , R. (2026). Digital dependency in relation to marriage nullity decisions. Ius Matrimoniale, 37(1), 47–66. https://doi.org/10.21697/im.2637103

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