These days, it’s rare to find someone who doesn’t use social media. What started out as a handy networking tool for friends and family has become an essential part of life for most Americans. In fact, a study found that in 2021, 82% of Americans used at least one social media website or app.
With the ubiquity of social media and its integration into our lives, the line between our digital lives and our “real” lives is blurred. The legal system has noticed this change, too. Everyone knows that social media posts can come back to haunt them, but for some, the damage goes far beyond embarrassment. Instead, those posts can have real-life legal consequences.
If you’re thinking about getting a divorce or are already in the process of getting a divorce, here’s what you need to know about social media usage.
Don’t Post About Your Divorce
Many people use social media to stay connected with important people in their lives, and some may even use it for work-related purposes. Although it’s best to avoid social media altogether during your divorce, simply refraining from posting can be a big step in the right direction.
There are many reasons to reduce your social media usage or at least stop posting for a while. The most important reason is that what you say and the things you post can be used against you in your divorce case. The details of your divorce are private matters between you and your attorney. When you post details online, they may be used against you.
Do Change Your Privacy Settings
If you use default privacy settings on your social media accounts, it probably means the entire world can see your pictures, posts, and updates. This can be bad news during a divorce. Change your privacy settings to allow only friends and approved followers the ability to see your profile.
Be cautious if you get any friend requests while your divorce is underway, even if the profile appears to belong to someone you know. Fake profiles are commonly used to allow people access to others’ profiles, pictures, and status updates. Always investigate the profiles of anyone who sends you a friend request, especially during legal proceedings.
Do Change Your Passwords if Others Know Them
The only person who should have access to your social media accounts, especially during a divorce, is you. No amount of privacy settings can offset your account being easily accessible by your spouse or other family members who may be “against you” in the divorce proceedings. If anyone else knows your passwords, including people you trust, you should still change them.
Changing passwords adds another layer of security to your social media lockdown, which should be a top priority from the day your separation begins until the day your divorce finalizes. You should also review your password recovery options, as there’s a good chance your spouse knows the answers to any security questions you’ve setup to reset your passwords.
We’ll Guide You Through Every Step of the Divorce Process
Getting a divorce isn’t just emotionally difficult. It can also make your head spin due to the number of things you should and shouldn’t do. Unfortunately, divorces are often contentious affairs with both sides angling to find weaknesses they can exploit and advantages they can leverage.
At Ralls & Wooten, our Maryville family law attorneys understand what you’re going through in your divorce. We’ve helped many people in your shoes, and we’re here to answer all of your questions and address every concern you have along the way. Know you’re not alone in this difficult chapter of your life, and know that our team will work hard to get you the best possible outcome.
Contact us today for a free divorce consultation. We want to put our experience to work for you.