Can Social Media Use Negatively Impact My Divorce?

There are few things more complicated than going through a divorce. Often, divorce is a stressful experience, which is why many people going through them enlist the help of a therapist, or even just regularly speak with trusted friends or relatives about the process and how it’s making them feel. Of course, this is entirely understandable, as well as perfectly healthy. That said, in the age of social media, it’s not uncommon for people to vent their frustrations to their followers on Twitter, friends on Facebook, or otherwise. This is always a bad idea, especially if you’re going through the divorce process and use social media as an outlet to vent your frustration. Please continue reading and speak with a knowledgeable Rockland County divorce attorney from Jameson Family Law to learn more about the importance of avoiding social media during the divorce process.

Why You Need to Stay Away from Social Media During Your Divorce

The first thing you should understand is that divorce is a private matter. The whole world doesn’t need to know every detail of your divorce. When you post about your divorce or any other personal matter, you lose the element of privacy. Even if your account is on “private,” followers can easily screenshot tweets, pictures, or any other type of post, and share the screenshot with the world.

You should also understand that judges tend to look down on individuals who post about their divorce online, especially if the individual is trash-talking their ex. Even if you believe your ex deserves it, trash-talking almost always guarantees a negative outcome once it’s brought to a judge’s attention.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that sometimes, even “innocent” posts can have negative repercussions on the outcome of your divorce. For example, if you’re fighting for custody of your child but post a picture of you having drinks with friends on a night out, your ex can use that picture to allege you have a substance abuse issue–though it may seem like a stretch, it’s worked in the past. Even if you’re just seeking alimony, but you post a picture of you dining at a fancy restaurant or of you on vacation, your ex can use it to “prove” that you don’t truly require alimony.

The bottom line is that, if possible, you should always avoid posting on social media until your divorce is resolved. If you have any further questions or you need help with your divorce, give us a call today.