Why should you avoid social media during a divorce?
During a divorce, you may have the temptation to go on social media and vent to your family and friends about it. However, while you deserve to have those to vent and talk to about the divorce, you may want to refrain from posting about it on social media.
Social media can harm your case during a divorce.
Preserving privacy
In the U.S., seven out of 10 people use social media to connect. This means social platforms may inadvertently expose your personal matters to a broad audience and exacerbate the emotional challenges accompanying divorce. For instance, family members may critique your divorce or question you uncomfortably.
Mitigating misinterpretations
Social media may amplify your communication breakdowns during the divorce. When you do not think ahead about posting updates, photos or comments, your former spouse may begin to misinterpret your situation. For instance, if your friends or family invite you to a paid event, your former spouse may use the pictures to claim that you have money and may not require child or spousal support.
Avoiding legal consequences
Many people mistake social media for being private. However, your spouse’s lawyer can use your social media as evidence in a divorce proceeding. If you share inflammatory content or anything inappropriate, it could have repercussions. Be cautious of what you post and check all of your privacy settings. Keep in mind that mutual friends can copy posts from private social media accounts to show to others.
During a divorce, you should attempt to stay off of social media or at least prioritize your privacy and remain careful about posting about the divorce. Having a supportive network offline is more beneficial than online support.