Over the past two decades, social networking sites have become a normal part of daily life for those in Tennessee and regions across the world. Whether it is sharing photos from a vacation, status updates about today’s activities or recent additions to a work resume, many people feel the compulsion to update friends, family and strangers alike regarding their current lives. Unfortunately, this can have a detrimental effect in numerous situations.
At the start of a relationship, people are excited to share news. As the relationship progresses, people are proud to show off milestones such as engagement, purchasing vehicles, marriage, children, purchasing a property and so on. Unfortunately, many people are keen to share the positives as well as the negatives.
While this might make for a true representation of their life, posting about a divorce often takes a turn toward negativity. Here are three tips to remember when pairing up a divorce with social media:
- Stay positive or neutral at best: It is easy to let emotions get the best of you. When posting on social media, however, heated emotions about the end of a relationship can prove detrimental. It is important to stay neutral during the divorce process lest your spouse might use your angry outbursts against you during serious negotiations.
- Don’t discuss the case online: Even when an individual struggles to stay positive and share information online, your spouse can take it out of context during the divorce process. It is better to avoid discussing the divorce in any sort of online forum.
- Understand the lack of privacy: Whether sending an email, a direct message or a status update with the highest privacy settings, it is crucial that individuals remember that online privacy is largely an illusion. From shared passwords, screen captures and friends-of-friends, access to information is rarely secure. When you filter the post through the lens of “Am I comfortable with everyone seeing this?”, it might clarify what you should and should not post online.
In short, it is wise for the divorcing couple to remain neutral on social media. While the urge to share information with friends and family might at times seem overwhelming, it might be better to simply make a phone call or talk in person if possible. Information that is presented online is never truly secure and negative comments and heated exchanges can often be used by one party against the other. It is important to handle the divorce in a professional manner following the court’s direction and a lawyer’s guidance.