According to recent stats, 246 million people in the U.S. are social media users. This amounts to 72.5% of Americans active online, with the average number of platforms per internet user being 6.4. With platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, and others readily available, it’s easy to express ourselves and share our every feeling whenever we feel it. This can make it difficult not to view these platforms as an outlet during an emotional transition like divorce.
With so many people turning to social media as a way to share about their lives with others, it’s important to be aware of how your online presence can affect your divorce and familiarize yourself with a few tips for protecting yourself online.
What’s The Harm In Sharing Online About My Divorce?
At some point in your life, you’ve probably befriended someone online who sometimes uses their platform to overshare. To each their own, right? Sure! As long as it’s not in a way that can affect you legally. There’s a fine line between sharing a personal update and spilling your guts all over your Facebook feed, and when it comes to divorce, it’s better to keep your business offline completely. You might be wondering, “what’s the harm, really?” Let’s discuss.
Legal Implications
When you share about your divorce online, anything you post or say might be subpoenaed by the court and used as evidence against you. If you find yourself turning to social media to vent about your split, you may want to ask yourself if you’re comfortable with having what you wrote read back to you in court.
This is especially important if there was nefarious behavior or infidelity on your part in the marriage. In fact, 81% of divorce attorneys report instances where spouses scour online platforms for evidence of such.
Emotional Impact
Divorce is already an emotional process to endure. Separating your life legally and personally from the person you planned to spend forever with can really take a toll on your well-being. If the only emotional relief you seek is online, you may set yourself up for more harm than good, especially if you’re still keeping tabs on your ex. Social media can be a breeding ground for negative emotions, leading to more pain and drama during an already tumultuous time. Don’t go looking for something you don’t want to find. Pursue more meaningful ways to manage your emotions, like contacting a mental health counselor.
Digital Footprint
We’ve all posted something online that we shouldn’t have or instantly regretted, but that’s what the delete button is for, right? Wrong. Don’t forget that you leave a digital footprint on every online platform you click, like, laugh, love, and post on. Unfortunately, if Google indexed that post, it can remain online for years even if it was deleted from the original source. Do you want what you say about your ex to linger for that long?
Why Staying Offline Is Better For You
It’s important to recognize the impact that your online behavior can have on the outcome of your divorce. For instance, if you’re seeking alimony from your spouse but are bragging on social media about extravagant purchases or lavish vacations, it can undermine your case.
If you share children with your spouse, it is especially important to consider what you say online as it can negatively impact your ability to retain joint or sole custody. Posting images from parties or nights out on the town may portray you as an unfit parent. Additionally, excessive posts about your children, where you try to present yourself as a better parent, may not be viewed favorably by the court.
By staying completely offline, you have a better chance of being perceived as composed during your divorce proceedings, which, in turn, can lead to a more favorable outcome.
What If My Ex Is Sharing Online?
We don’t want to sound like your mother, but so what if they are? If they jump off of a bridge, are you going to do the same? Probably not. If your ex is blasting details of your personal relationship all over the internet, let them, but also keep tabs. This can work to your advantage in court. Just like what you say can be used against you, what your ex says can be used against them.
Tips For Safeguarding Your Online Presence
1. Confide in a friend or therapist, not your newsfeed.
It is crucial to work through your emotions, but it’s in your best interest to do it with a professional or someone you trust.
2. Update your passwords and privacy settings.
If your ex knows your passwords to your social accounts, it may be time to update them. This can prevent them from finding information that could be used against you. You should also try to keep your social accounts as private as possible. Limit who can follow you and access your information.
3. Limit your screen time
On iPhones and Android devices, you can limit your screen time on social media platforms. If you’re struggling to stay offline, this is a simple way to set a boundary for yourself.
How Word Family Law Group Is Better For You
If your marriage is over and it’s time to part ways with your spouse, Word Family Law Group is here for you. We understand what a huge decision divorce is, and we’re prepared to help you navigate the journey ahead. Allow us the time to get to know you, understand your goals for your life post-divorce and create a strategy to help you achieve those goals.
Our divorce lawyer, Christopher P. Word, has 15+ years of experience helping Alabama couples navigate the intricate steps of the divorce process. His knowledge and compassion can help make the difference between a successful divorce outcome and unnecessary headache and heartache. He is passionate about ensuring you walk away from your time with us with confidence and security in the future that lies ahead of you.
Call Word Family Law Group today to request a consultation and discover your next steps.
