Social media is a major part of our lives but play an unwelcome role in marriage and divorce. Preoccupation can lead to the neglect of a marriage. But spouses ending their marriages also need to be especially cautious about their social media use.
Evidence
Social media places a spotlight on your life. According to the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 81 percent of attorneys indicated that more spouses are searching for online evidence when they are suspicious that their spouse engaged in bad behavior, online affairs, or infidelity.
Facebook, with over two billion users, is cited in one out of every divorce in this country according to the Loyola University Health System. Spouses also uncover infidelity on social media.
But social media posts can be misleading in a divorce. People may use their postings to exaggerate their lifestyle and fun. This can provoke jealousy among their former family members and friends.
Tips
The best tip is to cease using social media until your divorce is over. This helps prevent any retaliation against anything you post and allows you to focus on your children and self-care.
If you stay on social media, you should not post anything negative. Do not post when you are angry or use social media to vent. Make sure your family members do not post anything negative about your spouse which your children may see.
Social media should not be used to surprise your soon-to-be ex. Your former spouse should not learn about family vacations, purchases and your new relationships over social media.
Remove your online relationship status until your divorce is concluded. Do not post intimate photographs or videos from your marriage.
Privacy levels should set to the highest levels. Ask your friends not to tag you in photographs and posts.
Even with the highest privacy settings, however, do not assume that online postings remain confidential. Block or unfriend anyone who no longer has a good relationship with you to avoid cyber-stalking or harassment. Be sure to Google yourself to learn if there is anything online that needs addressed.
The details of your divorce, amicable or contentious, cannot be discussed online. Postings should not be used as a device to gather negative information about your spouse and do not ask anyone to post this information.
Finally, monitor your children’s social media usage. Know which platforms they use and ask to see their posts, so you know what they are saying about the divorce. Children may face greater risks of online bullying and predators.
Attorneys can assist you with dealing with divorce legal issues. They can also help protect your rights.
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