The iPhone, a combination widescreen iPod, cellphone and pocket Internet device, which went on sale at Apple's 164 stores last week, will make it easier to check up on that special someone.

Sacha Walters, Staff Reporter

In an age where Google has become a verb and information is just a click away - many 'surfers' are using the Internet to peek in their former lovers' lives. And the gateway is via social network websites.

While these networks like Hi5, Facebook and MySpace are a meeting ground for new friends, others are using them to 'track' old flames.

"It's just like searching through someone's phone," says Rachel.The 24-year-old admits checking her ex-boyfriend's profile about three times since they broke up 10 months ago.

But what does she get from this?

"It's just arming yourself with knowledge."

As for Julie, it's different.

"I do it without thinking - it just became a part of my (online) routine," says the 21-year-old. She explains that every day for six months, she would sign on to her messenger and automatically log on to the site and start searching.

However, both girls agree that checking to see if your ex's status changes from 'committed' to 'single' is of paramount importance. In fact, Rachel remembers when she saw her ex's profile, which remained blank during their relationship, change to single. She was devastated.

In addition, both girls look at the pictures of girls in the ex's friends list. "You tend to somewhat compare yourself with the girls in the pictures, the girls he socialises with, to see if they have something over you," Julie says, admitting the practice stems from a level of insecurity. They also look at the comments their former partners may have posted on a girl's photos like, 'You look hot', 'You look sweet as always' or more sexually suggestive ones.

Drastic end

Rachel says her insecurity stems from the four-year relationship ending drastically.

"It was out of the blue, I didn't see it coming." He was the one to initiate the break-up. However, Rachel does not think any of the girls are better than her.

It's hard to let go and given the opportunity to take a look at pictures of your old lover's new person along with detailed information about their personality, many find it hard to resist and with as much as 96 websites like this, the possibilities are endless.

However, not everyone believes people should give in to this curiosity.

"Sure it's there and you can access it (the information) but of what value is it to you?" says Lita Allen, a private counsellor and lecturer at the University of the West Indies' Social Work Unit. Apart from the fact that it only serves to reopen the wounds of the relationship, she says, "You are not sure what that person is going to do with that information."

The girls say they would never use the information for anything negative. "I just want to see a face. I'm not going to do anything," Rachel says.

This inability to let go shows a level of emotional immaturity, Miss Allen says. "You're not moving on with your life, you're stuck and you have not put closure to that situation."

However, she pointed out that if there is a genuine interest in the welfare of the person there is nothing wrong with the act.

Ramon, 32, says he checks one of his ex's profile periodically when she adds new pictures. "I do it just to see where she's been. It's not insecurity, it's a genuine curiosity about what that person, is up to," he says, especially since it is someone you loved.

However, he would never take it as far as to visit another man's profile.

Grieving process

Miss Allen says breaking up is a grieving process which can take anywhere between weeks to years to complete and if individuals find that similar actions persist, they should seek the help of an objective professional. Generally, she suggests going out with friends, going to church for those who are spiritual, exercising and finding productive work and hobbies. "It will peter out after a while for the person moving on," she added.

Both girls say they receive no real benefits from giving in to their curiosity, but they do it anyway. "In the end it's just added mistrust and hurt that that person is moving on and you're still checking their Hi5," Rachel says.

Names changed on request

sacha.walters@gleanerjm.com