Social Media Before, During, and After Your Florida Divorce Case

Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and others are interwoven into the fabric of modern life. Statistics on social media usage reveal that 223 million Americans were active on these networks in 2019, which means it’s quite likely that you have at least one account. Regardless of how often you post, your content can have a considerable impact on both personal and professional relationships. As such, you might have concerns about your activities if you’re considering divorce or involved at some stage of the process.

Most Dade City divorce attorneys will agree that you’re right to be concerned about social media in divorce, but that doesn’t mean you need to avoid interactions with your community altogether. A few guidelines about your activities before, during, and after divorce can help you steer clear of adverse implications. 

Before Filing for Divorce: As divorce becomes imminent, you should avoid disparaging posts, comments, pictures, and other content about your partner on social media. It’s understandable that you want to vent, but it’s critical to keep it off-line. Go for coffee with a friend, make an appointment with a counselor, or seek other outlets to let off steam. Putting your personal business out there for the community to see can only make matters worse; in some situations, your posts could even be used against you. In addition:

• Check and adjust privacy settings as appropriate;
• Delete negative posts in your history – even though nothing ever fully disappears from the internet;
• Review your list of friends to see if there’s anyone you should hide.
  

Using Social Media During Divorce: Many of the same social media tips that apply before filing are also useful once you’re involved with the legal process. Because everything you post may be scrutinized for potential use against you, it may be appropriate to minimize or snooze your social media activities while the case is pending. You should definitely avoid:

• Posting details about hearings and other proceedings;
• Posting negative comments about your spouse or significant other,
• Sharing content that shows you in a less-than-positive light; and,
• Allowing your friends to tag you when out on social occasions.
  

Social Media After Your Divorce is Final: If you don’t have children, you’re relatively free to get back to normal social media usage once your case concludes. Continue to steer clear of bashing your ex online, as you may still have friends in common. When children are in the picture, you need to remember that your social media activities should encompass your responsibilities as a parent. Refrain from posting content that you’d be upset about if the situation was reversed.

Talk to a Florida Divorce Lawyer About Social Media Do’s and Don’ts 

Hopefully, these tips are useful in guiding your online activities when considering or going through divorce. However, if you have additional questions or concerns about how your spouse is using social media, you should discuss your circumstances with an experienced divorce attorney. To set up a consultation regarding your matter, please contact the Law Office of Laurie R. Chane. You can reach our Dade City, FL location by calling 352-567-0055 or visiting us online.

Resource:

convinceandconvert.com/social-media-research/social-media-usage-statistics/

https://www.chanelaw.com/5-tips-for-handling-business-interests-in-a-florida-divorce/