Using Social Media Wisely During Divorce

 Posted on September 06, 2022 in Divorce

Social media can be a great way to stay in touch with loved ones near and far at a time when you may feel very isolated and alone. You may, very understandably, want to vent to your followers on Twitter or update your relatives as a group via Facebook. However, this can backfire in sometimes unforeseeable ways. Especially during a divorce, you do not want to accidentally post something that your spouse could later use against you in some way. Even if you post privately, there is a strong chance that the post will be leaked to your spouse in some way. It is best to avoid talking much about your divorce, your spouse, and your marriage on social media and to keep your posts focused on yourself. If you are ever unsure about whether a post might cause trouble, you can always check with your lawyer before you click “post.” 

Strategies for Careful Social Media Use With a Pending Divorce

Even if you are positive that your divorce will not go to litigation, it is still best to avoid potentially troublesome posts. In fact, if you are actively negotiating with your spouse in an effort to resolve your divorce, then it may be of particular importance that you avoid antagonistic posts. Some helpful tips for using social media during divorce include: 

• Leave the past alone- You have nothing to gain from rehashing your marital woes in a public or semi-public forum. You are free to do so over a glass of wine or dinner with your friends, but it is not wise to blog about the breakdown of your marriage. If nothing else, your spouse may see it and retaliate in kind. 

• Post sober - Nothing good ever comes from a drunken rant over social media. Even if it seems like a good idea at the time, it probably is not. If you are under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, a prescription medication, or any other substance, resist the urge to post. 

• Use “I” statements - Keep your posts focused on yourself, not your ex. Post about what you did with the kids that weekend, or how your new yoga class is going. However, it is easy to fall into passive-aggressive territory in this way. “Doing great even with someone trying to keep me down,” for example, clearly references your ex and should not be posted. “Doing great, love my new book club,” on the other hand, is fine. 

If you need to vent or rant to express your feelings about your divorce, you should do so in private to a trusted friend, or perhaps in a diary. Remember that you will be able to relax the rules after your divorce is finalized. 

Call a Kane County Divorce Attorney

Serrano Hanson takes a comprehensive approach to every divorce case. Our experienced Geneva divorce lawyers will guide you through every aspect of your divorce case in order to bring about a favorable resolution. Call 630-844-8781 for a consultation. 

Source:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/better-divorce/202111/marriage-divorce-and-social-media-recipe-disaster