Whether you use it for keeping tabs on friends, influencing others or making money, social media may be a major part of your life. Even if you are a passive social media user, you are far from alone. In fact, roughly 70% of Americans report engaging with others through some type of social media.
Even amicable divorces often have a way of becoming messy. Angry, emotional or unthoughtful social media posts may complicate your divorce or child custody dispute. Consequently, you may want to think about taking a hiatus from social media until your divorce concludes.
Harmful posts
Divorces often involve dividing marital assets, negotiating spousal support and settling child custody matters. Even seemingly innocuous social media posts may harm your situation.
For example, if you post photographs of lavish spending, your soon-to-be ex-spouse may argue you do not need spousal support or can afford to pay it. Likewise, any post that makes you appear to be an unfit parent may interfere with your child custody goals.
Settlement negotiations
When you are behind a computer or smartphone screen, you may choose words you would never use in person. While it may be cathartic to vent about your husband or wife on social media, your posts may discourage your spouse from negotiating with you.
If you hope to have a friendly divorce or wrap up your marriage through mediation, keeping your marital problems off social media is probably a good idea. Ultimately, while only you can decide whether you want to take a break from social media during your divorce, anything you do to ease the process is likely to benefit you directly.
