Top 5 Social Media Tips during a Divorce

Published On - November 19, 2020

Stan Bennett Divorce

It seems unbelievable that just 20 years ago social media was still in its infancy. Today, even your grandparents have likely learned to navigate social media. It seems almost inevitable then that social media will be part of your divorce. While you should always use care when posting or engaging on social media, it is even more important when you are in the middle of a divorce. A

Sad looking siblings with their arguing parents behind them

Murfreesboro divorce attorney at Bennett, Michael & Hornsby offers five important social media tips for those who are going through a divorce.

  • Change passwords or create new accounts.  It is fairly common for married couples to share accounts and passwords with each other. That may mean that your spouse has access to your Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter or other social media accounts. As soon as divorce appears inevitable, change your passwords, or delete existing accounts and create new ones. You may also want to go through your accounts and back them up and/or delete previous posts to create a virtual clean slate.
  • Do not vent on social media. We have all grown accustomed to sharing our opinions on a wide variety of topics on social media. We even use social media to vent when we are frustrated or angry so it may be tempting to do so during your divorce. You may be hurt or angry with your soon-to-be ex-spouse; however, social media is not the place to let those feelings be known. Keep in mind that if you have children, they may see what you are saying about their other parent. Not only will that confuse or anger them, but it will not help your chances of winning a custody battle if custody is a contested issue in your divorce.
  • Use an “evidence” filter when on social media.  Every time you access social media, use an “evidence” filter before commenting, posting, or messaging. Ask yourself if what you are about to say, or post is something you would want admitted into evidence in your divorce case because that may very well happen. If the answer is “no” or “I don’t know,” you should not comment, post, or send the message.
  • Do not allow yourself to be tagged in inappropriate posts.  Unfortunately, it is not just your social media you have to worry about when you are going through a divorce.  The next time you are at a party or bar and someone wants to post a “cheers” picture, you may wish to opt out. The same goes for posts that reference drug use, a new relationship, risky behavior, or just about anything else that might be controversial. 
  • Consider disengaging while the divorce is pending. One of the biggest problems with social media in general is how easily comments, posts, or messages can be misinterpreted or taken out of context. The other huge problem is how fast those comments, posts, and messages can go viral. Given how much potential damage social media can do and what a minefield it is to navigate, the smart choice may be to simply take a break while your divorce is pending. If you absolutely cannot disengage entirely, do a privacy check on all social media accounts, and make sure they are not public. Also, this is a good time to clean house and trim down the list of people with whom you communicate using social media to your family and closest friends.

Contact a Murfreesboro Divorce Attorney 

If you are planning to go through the divorce process, or you are already in the middle of the process and have questions or concerns, consult with an experienced Murfreesboro divorce attorney at Bennett, Michael & Hornsby as soon as possible to discuss your legal options. Contact the team today by calling 615-898-1560 to schedule your free appointment.

 

Stan Bennett
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