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Keeping On The Positive Side Of Social Media During Your Divorce

29 August 2017

Norman Kelly

When it comes to Facebook, Instagram, and other popular social media sites, most people are devoted fans. Many people depend on catching up with their friends and loved ones using these sites, and when you have something good or something bad happen, you count on the support of those friends and acquaintances to be happy with you or to sympathize with you. Unfortunately, using these sites during the stressful period of divorce can produce some unwelcome problems, so read on to learn why posting and viewing on social media might be a bad idea during this time.

You Keep Hanging On

When you divorce, you have some choices about how easily the process can go. If you and your soon-to-be ex get along fairly well, you can come together to agree on certain issues and keep them out of the family court system. This not only saves you money, but also allows for an overall less stressful divorce experience.

Unfortunately, if you cannot resist the impulse to stalk your partner on social media, you might be allowing some negative feelings to influence your divorce plans. For example, you may have a more difficult time discussing child custody plans and divorce if you know your spouse is posting photos of a new "friend" on Facebook that appears to be very unsuitable. Leave the chances for acrimony out of your divorce process by blocking or "un-friending" them, at least until you have fully healed from the divorce.

Use Care in Your Posts

When it's not possible to have an amicable divorce, you might find yourself and your behavior under a microscope. The legal team for your partner can and will use social media to stalk you, particularly when you open up about the stresses you are facing with the divorce. For example, if you are asking for spousal support, should you really be posting photos of your latest shopping finds?

Stop and think about the potential for what you are posting to be misunderstood and to make you look bad when it comes to property division, child custody and visitation, debt division, and more. Divorce law now takes into account how people are portrayed online.

On the other hand, now is great time to get some confidential help and support from a mental health therapist rather than looking to social media.

Make Some Human Connections

Spending a lot of time on your social media accounts can be isolating, and this a time when you should be strengthening one-on-one bonds with your friends and relatives, rather than counting on how many people "like" your posts or photos. Makes plans to get some fresh air, to exercise, to see a movie with a friend and to get some personal face time with those that love and care about you. 

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