Tips For Managing Social Media During Divorce

Social media use has grown rapidly in the past decade. Americans use sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat on a daily basis. TikTok stars and influencers are becoming popular and even celebrity-like.

While many people rely on social media updates from friends, family members, and companies and individuals they are following, the truth is that too much social media can damage a marriage. Studies have found a link between social media use and a lower quality of marriage. This is because being preoccupied with social media causes people to neglect their marriages. Plus, people often use social media to start extramarital affairs. The problem is that social media can have an impact on your divorce as well.

If you are going through a divorce, you may want to use social media to vent. Maybe you want to badmouth your spouse or vent your frustration about how your divorce hasn’t been finalized yet. Or maybe you’re trying to get more alimony or child support, but you post photos of recent vacations or splurges on jewelry or cars.

People like your ex, their friends, and their lawyer can see these posts. This does not bode well for you. It can put you in a bad light and even affect property division, custody, and support decisions.

Because of this, you need to know how to behave when it comes to social media. Here are tips to help you.

Stay Off Social Media Altogether

Your best bet in a divorce is to just avoid posting anything altogether. Lawyers will be looking for evidence of bad behavior to use against you, so it’s best to just disconnect and focus on taking care of yourself until the divorce is finalized.

Be Positive

If you do decide to post on social media, avoid anything negative. Don’t use social media to vent and badmouth your ex. If you have children, you need to think about how they would feel if they saw what you post on social media. If you feel the need to post, be positive. Post photos of positive affirmations and things you enjoy.

Don’t Discuss Your Divorce Online

Avoid posting details about your case on social media. Even if you are moving toward an amicable divorce, there’s no need to share the details of your custody agreement or property division online. That should be private; there’s no need for others to know about what you and your ex are discussing with lawyers.

Update Your Privacy Settings

Make sure your privacy settings on Facebook and other sites are at their highest settings. Request that friends not tag you in their photos or posts. Unfriend and block those with whom you will not be friends after the divorce. If you stay online, only stay friends with people you trust.

Seek Legal Help

Many people are obsessed with social media, but in a divorce, you need to use it wisely. What you post can be used against you and negatively impact your divorce.

Divorcing? Seek legal help from Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer Edward J. Jennings, P.A. We’ll help you avoid common mistakes like excessive social media use. Schedule a consultation by filling out the online form or calling 954-764-4330.

Source:

psychologytoday.com/us/blog/better-divorce/202111/marriage-divorce-and-social-media-recipe-disaster