Going through a divorce is emotional. Anger, frustration, sadness, and desperation are natural feelings that are common to experience during your court case. As much as you may want to vent on your social media platforms, they are not the place for it. Posting on social media during your divorce is not illegal, but until the case is finalized, you need to be very careful about what you say and show.
So, what are some do’s and don’ts of social media etiquette during your divorce?
Put aside the notion that you can post anything you want as if it is business as usual. If you want to engage online, then do so only in a positive way. Don’t talk about money, your court case, your estranged partner, or anything that you do not want the judge to read.
Staying active on your social media during your divorce could be helpful to keep you connected to friends and people you care about. But if it is too tempting to slam your ex, then it is a good idea to give posting a break until the case is finished.
So, What are Some Do’s of Social Media Etiquette During Your Divorce?
It is time to clean your social media platforms. Start with changing your passwords. Then check your privacy settings and who your friends are. Make sure only the people you want to engage with have access to your posts and be careful about what you like and share. It is fine to post about a great meal you made or if your child had a special moment at school or sports. These are positive points that keep you active in your community.
Other do’s are more about planning for your future. You can use your social media to look for information concerning your career, places to live, or support groups you may need after the divorce is final. Do use social media to learn what you can to make your new life good for you and your family.
So, What are Some Don’ts of Social Media Etiquette During Your Divorce?
You may be curious about what is being posted about you, but don’t check out your ex’s pages without guidance from your attorney. It may be hard for you not to react, and it is not worth the heartache. If you lose your cool and write things that could be used against you in court, you have made your case worse.
Refrain from writing anything on your sites that concerns your soon-to-be-ex-spouse, what you are buying or spending money on, or what you are doing in your free time. Remember that your posts can show a time stamp and in some instances, location.
You also don’t want to start deleting posts. Wait till the case is done to erase any memories you don’t want to see anymore. You may not want to be reminded of the happy times right now, but the motivation for deleting social media posts can be twisted and used against you.
Related Questions
So, What are Some Tips for Using Social Media During your Divorce?
Use your connections on social media to keep from feeling isolated or slipping into depression. Stay in touch with some of your closest friends and respond to the good things they say about what is going on in their lives. Make your posts about them, not you. Also, use this time to look up information about a hobby you always wanted to pursue. Maybe now is the time to join that cycling group you have seen posts about.
So, How Can You Protect Yourself and Your Family?
People will talk. That is just how they are. But you do not have to feed that fire. Protect yourself and your family by not posting information about personal matters. The people who need to know what is going on with you should already know what circumstances you are facing.
You don’t need to post on a page your children’s friends may see that your family is in turmoil. Have a meaningful discussion with your kids about what they should and shouldn’t be saying on social media. It may be a great idea to put a temporary ban on posting about the family while the case is open.
Summary
Social media can help or hurt. It can be useful or destructive. When going through a divorce, it may be tempting to use it to hurt or to vent, but neither is a good choice. What you say and show can be used against you, so taking a break from posting might be a smart idea until everything is finalized. If you do post, keep it positive. When your new life begins, you can post about that to your heart’s content.
Divorce can be complicated, stressful and confusing for all parties involved but, by seeking sound advice and guidance from an experienced divorce attorney it doesn’t have to be. The divorce and family law attorneys at Tower Karson Law in Livonia have the compassion and deep understanding of complex family issues and will bring clarity to the process. Your rights will be protected as we aim for a beneficial outcome for all parties involved. Call to schedule a Free consultation for your Michigan divorce.