While social media does have its benefits, there can also be several downsides to using sites like Facebook and Instagram. If you're planning to get divorced or are in the middle of legal proceedings, you should be especially careful with your social media usage. Once you post something online, you can't take it back, and too many people have made regrettable decisions regarding social media that have affected their divorce.
Evidence in Court
The biggest risk with posting on social media during a divorce is that anything you post online can be used as evidence in court. If your spouse accuses you of infidelity and the pictures you've posted support that claim, it could affect your settlement. Pictures or posts about your recent purchases could be used as proof of your spending habits or income, too.
Social media posts include the time and date, so they can also be used as evidence to show where you were at certain times. If your spouse claims that you should not receive custody of your children because you stay out late every night, they could use your photos as proof.
Hopefully, your divorce is settled without needing to go to court. However, you should always assume that your social media profiles are under intense scrutiny when you're in the middle of a divorce.
Oversharing for Support
Not only could your social media posting affect your divorce settlement, but it can also lead to some interpersonal issues. When you post about your feelings or experiences regarding your divorce, your friends and family may offer words of support. It can feel great to vent your frustrations online at the moment, but you might regret oversharing in the future.
Once again, remember that you can't take back what you post. Even if you delete something shortly after, those who have seen it may not forget it. Before you post anything about your divorce, ask yourself if your friends and followers actually need to know this information or if it would be better to speak to one trusted person about the situation.
How to Use Social Media Safely
Your safest option is to avoid posting on social media entirely while you're going through a divorce. It's hard to predict how your posts could be used against you, so it's better to go silent on your social platforms than take a risk. You should also ask your friends not to tag you in compromising photos or post about your spouse or divorce. Now is a great time to change your passwords, too, so that no one tries to access your accounts to get information.
Social media can be a fun way to connect with others and share about your life, but less social media activity is always better when you're getting a divorce.
If you're considering a divorce and have any questions or concerns, contact our compassionate divorce attorneys at Tobias Iszard, PC for a case consultation.
