Social Media and Divorce: A Dangerous Combination

      

Today, most people cannot imagine their life without technology and social media is not an exception. Truth be told, there is nothing bad about commenting, sharing, and texting on the Net; however, when you are looking for a do it yourself divorce kit, it makes sense to watch your online behavior carefully.

There are many reasons to act with discretion on social media networking sites. And it is important to be aware of them, both emotional and legal, so that you can avoid any consequences related to your inappropriate online activity. No matter whether you are just planning to file a divorce online or you are already in the midst of the process, you should use the Internet with caution and here is why:

Your posts and pictures can be used as incriminating evidence
Any info that you share on the Internet can be potentially used by your spouse’s lawyer as evidence against you in court. Let us say, when you file for divorce online and then apply to reduce your spousal support payments while post pictures from expensive restaurants, you are very likely to be denied. If you strive to receive full custody, your pictures from dingy parties posted on the Web can play a low-down trick with you so that no divorce help will mend the matter. In a nutshell, your every movement on the Net can cost you dear.

Social media can tell about you more than your diary
Every time you post and comment on the Internet, you virtually create your diary, where your every movement is captured. While most of your posts are no threat to you, some may be wrenched out of the context to create an image of you that you will probably don’t like at all. A picture of you sipping cocktails in a club can make you appear to be a nightclub rounder, a comment in which you compliment someone can be deemed to be an attempt to have a bit on the side, and so forth.

Comparing your situation with others’ “perfect” lives can be devastating
When it comes to your mental wellbeing, limiting your online activity makes sense, too. When scrolling through many postings of happy people with their strong relationships and perfect lives, your self-esteem starts dropping immediately. And as it is known, poor self-esteem will not only impair the quality of your life but also will lead to many mental health problems. You don’t need that, right? So, be gentle with yourself and forget about your accounts for a while; otherwise, you will only start feeling more desperate and miserable day after day.

You cannot take back what you have once posted
Before posting something, think about those many followers who will come across your post and how they will feel about it. You may consider social media as a great tool for venting your spleen after painful meetings and conversations with your “almost” ex. If so, then how wrong you are! You just cannot imagine how much damage can come from your insulting posts. When your children and family see them, you will not be able to simply take them back. As the adage goes, “Once it’s in writing, it’s never going away.”

Privacy concerns
Those using social media regularly struggle to maintain their privacy for obvious reasons. Think about how your parents, friends, and little ones would feel if they read toxic posts about their children/parents/friends, juicy details of your breakup, etc.

What Not to Do on Social Media

– Don’t complain about your partner: You may be angry with your spouse and thus you may feel like sharing your thoughts with others is the right thing to do; however, this can cause a lot of damage. By doing so, you can drive a wedge between you and your friends or family who simply don’t want to choose sides. Of course, you can grumble over your “almost” ex in private messages, but you should avoid doing it in public at any cost.

– Never go into details publicly: Your breakup is your private matter. Hence, there is no need to tell the full of your financial, custody, and other issues. Moreover, keep in mind that everything you post on social media lives there for an indefinite amount of time. If you don’t want a judge or your employer reading about all the spicy bits of your breakup, then don’t wash your dirty linen in public.

– Don’t create unwanted evidence: It is no secret that everything you post and share can be used as evidence in your divorce case. Sharing pictures of you partying, when you are supposed to watch your children, or buying expensive things will not play into your hands for sure.