Social Media & Divorce

Whilst statistics are difficult to obtain as to whether the use of social media has a direct link to an individual’s rationale for divorce (largely due to procedural changes to divorce in April 2022 whereby you are no longer required to evidence bad conduct such as unreasonable behaviour), it is clear that the use of social media can have a detrimental effect on your relationships with your ex-partner and children, your mental health, and achieving an amicable resolution to matters surrounding the divorce such as finances and children.

It is not uncommon for individuals to turn to social media, as a first point of call when separation arises.   Social media can be an extremely useful tool for communicating with friends and family and being part of a bigger community of people offering useful advice.  However, social media brings the world into your home, it can offer very poor advice, aim to raise conflict between family members, provide completely inaccurate and false information, and potentially be used against you, for example, evidencing a reluctance to encourage children of the family to spend time with a non-resident parent.  Do also remember that the information you share on social media can be seen and accessed by your child(ren), employees, employers, strangers and even scammers who troll through social media accounts looking for vulnerable people to exploit.

Should you avoid Posting?

We understand that it can be overwhelmingly tempting to turn to your social media pages to post and comment about your current situation.  However, these can often be inflammatory and will prove to be unhelpful.  In fact, the risk of using social media in this way often becomes far more risky than rewarding and so we strongly recommend that before writing or sharing a post, you stop and think about whether this is going to assist you and your family in achieving a swift and amicable outcome or would it intensify matters, delay, and unnecessarily escalate your legal costs.   We appreciate that you will want people to understand and recognise what you are going through but do try to keep social media posts which concern very emotional personal circumstances to a minimum and direct messages towards friends and family who have your best interests at heart.  If you are intent on making a post about your separation, we recommend this is approached compassionately and respectfully and specific details are left out.

Should you unfollow?

It may be in everyone’s interests that you and your ex-partner unfollow each other on social media.   We know it is tempting to see how the other person is doing, how they are coping, and whether they are finding it hard too, but we all know that social media pages can provide a false narrative on how that person is really feeling.  Continuously checking your ex-partner’s social media pages is only going to prevent you from recovering.

On a final point, it is not uncommon to meet individuals who have spent time researching the law surrounding divorce, applying such information to their unique set of circumstances which is often wrong,  we have met with those who believe they will be left with nothing,  in fear that they will be destitute until a child of the family reaches the age of 18 or unable to see their child(ren).  We know this must be a scary place to be, and so it is really important to obtain at the earliest opportunity and remember that the best advice you can receive is from a trained individual practising in Family Law.  Every case is different, and this is because no family is the same. Our professionals are best suited to act in your best interests and apply the law to your set of circumstances.

Article dated: 29/11/24