The Effect of Social Media on a Divorce
By Space Coast Daily // April 4, 2023
If a couple has decided to dissolve the marriage, it is important to properly build their future life so that there is room for a new relationship in it.
But often social media become an obstacle on the way to a new life after a divorce. This is due to numerous factors.
Expanded access to personal information
A few decades ago, people pasted paper photographs into albums. After a divorce, you can separate them and take away those pictures that show only you. But on social media sites like Instagram and Facebook, photos can remain online long after a marriage has ended. To avoid potential embarrassment or conflict in the future, many couples now choose to create digital photo albums, archive old photos on their phones or computers rather than post them online.
The following table presents a summary of statistics related to divorce and social media, highlighting the impact of social media on divorce proceedings and the reasons why it is increasingly becoming a factor in marital dissolution:
| Statistic Surveys | Finding |
| AAML Survey | 81% of members saw an increase in divorce cases involving social media over the past 5 years. |
| AAML Survey | 66% of members cited Facebook as the most commonly used social media platform for divorce evidence. |
| Slater and Gordon Survey | 1 in 7 people consider divorce because of their spouse’s behavior on social media. |
| Brookman Solicitors Survey | Social media cited as a reason for divorce in 1 in 3 divorces filed in the UK. |
| Pew Research Center Survey | 17% of divorced or separated adults in the US believe that social media played a role in their divorce or separation. |
Considering how social media influences the divorce process, it is worth mentioning the potential consequences of posting online. It can be difficult for one or both spouses to completely erase their joint history once it has been posted online, which can lead to further disputes over asset division or custody decisions. To avoid unnecessary difficulties during the divorce online, couples are advised to establish clear rules regarding online postings. This should be agreed upon in advance, even if no one is talking about a divorce.
If you are getting a divorce, please be careful before posting on social media. The following infographic shows what you can and can’t post online:
Increased emotional stress
Many couples throughout their life together share their images on their social media accounts. In the future, this can be a difficult reminder of a relationship that no longer exists. Spouses must agree in advance on how wedding photos will be processed after the final divorce online. For example, they can be removed from social media or blocked from viewing by outsiders so that they are visible only to close relatives and friends. This is a guarantee that in the future after the dissolution of the marriage, these pictures will not be a constant reminder of past relationships.
For couples who are going through a cheap divorce in California online, it is important to understand that social media has a strong influence on their emotional state during this difficult time. To reduce stress, you need to limit contact with each other. It’s also important to remember that everyone processes emotions differently, so it’s best to be open about any feelings that come up during this challenging time. So each of the partners will be able to feel comfortable and receive support throughout the process.
Increased financial stress
When it comes to finances, both parties should set boundaries and discuss how much they can spend on gifts, vacations, etc. To avoid unrealistic expectations, you need to control the time spent on social media.
Wedding photos after divorce are another problem. In some cases, it is better for both parties to delete all shared photos from their accounts so as not to cause emotional pain to each other and not to cause any negative feelings associated with the breakup. If the former spouses are not embarrassed by such pictures, you can not delete them from your pages on the Internet.
Impact on child custody decisions
This applies to the publication of photos or videos with joint children. It is necessary to exclude the possibility of inappropriate actions or comments that will demonstrate a lack of interest or attention to children. If one spouse posts photos or messages about their new romantic partner, this can also be used to support the other spouse’s case for primary custody.
It is important for couples to create social media rules for themselves to ensure that any information shared online does not negatively impact their divorce process. For example, couples must decide not to post photos of themselves together after the divorce is finalized and not to write disparaging remarks about each other. We need to agree on what to do with wedding photos after the breakup. Such images are often used as evidence in court and should be handled with sensitivity so as not to cause further unrest or hostility between the parties involved.
Cyberbullying and harassment
The spouses must come to an agreement on which photos should be deleted and which ones should be left on the site. If one of them does not comply with these rules, he may face legal consequences. In some cases, cyberbullying and harassment may even be considered criminal offences, depending on the severity of the situation.
The best way to avoid cyberbullying during a divorce is to set clear boundaries for your social media use. Couples should discuss what is off-limits before getting into a relationship so that in the event of a divorce, both parties know how to behave respectfully online. They should consider removing all wedding photos from social media as soon as possible after the breakup so as not to cause negative emotions in the future.
Privacy issues
Some couples may delete or restrict access to shared photos, while others may leave them as a reminder of the past. Both parties need to agree on a way to store joint images and to ensure that any communications regarding the divorce are appropriate and respectful.
Divorce and social media carry too many emotions and experiences, especially in difficult life situations. Therefore, it is important for couples to think carefully about what information can be posted on the Internet. Establishing clear rules before the divorce is finalized can help both parties maintain their privacy during this difficult time.
Social media abuse as evidence
This can be especially devastating if one of the spouses posts photos of themselves with a new lover or writes inappropriate comments about an ex-spouse on their page. Such actions may adversely affect the court’s decision regarding divorce, custody, and division of property.
To prevent the possible consequences of rash acts, couples need to be careful when using social media. They should set rules for each other about what types of posts are acceptable and ensure that wedding photos are handled responsibly after a divorce. It is also wise to refrain from posting anything online until their proceedings are complete.
References:
- Kara Wahlgren. 7 Things You Should Never Post On Facebook When You’re Going Through A Divorce. https://www.prevention.com/sex/g20430726/social-media-mistakes-during-divorce/
- Talia Lakritz. Social media rules every couple should follow, according to a relationship expert. https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/social-media-rules-every-couple-should-follow-according-to-a-relationship-expert-a7672676.html
- Bullying on social networks. https://www.familylives.org.uk/advice/bullying/cyberbullying/what-to-do-if-you-re-being-bullied-on-a-social-network
