Peran Bukti Chat Dan Sosial Media Dalam Perkara Perceraian Di Pengadilan Agama

Abstract

The rapid growth of digital communication has transformed evidentiary practices in divorce proceedings before Religious Courts. Although chat records and social media content were increasingly submitted as evidence, their acceptance and assessment remained inconsistent, particularly regarding authenticity, integrity, relevance, and judicial interpretation. This study examined the role of chat and social media evidence in divorce cases and analyzed its evidentiary position, probative strength, and consideration by judges. This research used a normative juridical method with statute and conceptual approaches. Legal materials were collected through library research, including statutory regulations, court-related legal documents, scholarly literature, and other relevant secondary sources. The study found that chat records and social media evidence helped reveal marital facts that were often difficult to prove through conventional evidence, such as continuous disputes, verbal conflict, suspected infidelity, neglect, and the breakdown of marital communication. However, such evidence did not stand alone and had to be supported by witness testimony, party admissions, or other corroborating evidence. The study concluded that digital evidence contributed significantly to divorce proceedings, but its use required careful, objective, and consistent judicial assessment to ensure legal certainty and substantive justice.