Social Media Impacts on Divorce

Whether we like it or not, social media has a constant presence within our lives. If you plan to, are going through, or have completed your divorce, there are certain measures you may want to take regarding social media.

Before the Divorce

A collaborative individual-level study conducted by representatives from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile and Boston University found that there is a direct, negative correlation between the use of social media and marriage quality. In other words, as social media use increases, the quality of the marriage decreases. These results are consistent with state-level studies of the most popular social media platforms.

This is not to say that social media is the ultimate deciding factor regarding the termination of your marriage. You don’t have to completely give up social media activity in order to maintain a happy, healthy marriage.

What Not to Do

While it may be tempting, try to avoid slighting your partner on social media or venting about them publicly. If you end up filing for divorce, these actions can negatively affect your case.

If you are thinking about getting a divorce, it is wise to go through your social media posts and remove anything that can be used against your case. Make sure your profiles are set to private so you don’t have any unwanted visitors browsing through your accounts.

In addition, go through your friends’ list and remove anyone you believe may provoke theatrics or act as a scout for your spouse.

During the Divorce

Remain vigilant about what you post on social media during your divorce. Carefully consider the people on your friends’ list and whether they’re truly looking out for your best interest. It’s best not to post about your divorce on social media at all.

It may be wise to determine a contractual agreement with your spouse about social media posts regarding your children. That way, no one is caught off-guard if the other posts about the kids.

After the Divorce

If there are no children involved in your divorce, you are relatively free to post what you want on social media. It’s still a good idea to refrain from negative posts about your ex since you’ll likely still have some of the same people in your networks.

When children are involved, the issue can become a bit more nuanced. You may stay connected with your ex online, particularly if your kids are of the social media age. Remain civil with your ex online regardless of the circumstances, and remember that your social media profiles are a reflection of your parenting and your children’s lives.

If you are in need of cybersecurity family law help, the attorneys at Wisselman, Harounian & Associates are highly skilled in this area of the law and have recovered millions in damages for clients. Don’t hesitate to contact our firm with your case right away.

Call Wisselman, Harounian & Associates today at (516) 773-8300 to speak with an attorney about your case.