Many people might struggle to understand the true legal implications of their rights. For example, people think that the right to speak freely means that they should never face consequences for what they say in person or on digital platforms.
What freedom of speech really means is that the government cannot penalize you for speech, especially speech criticizing the government. However, there can still be consequences for some kinds of speech. What you say and do on social media can have damaging real-world consequences.
If you think ahead about how you use social media, it can be a powerful tool in your divorce rather than a weapon wielded against you.
It’s probably time for a social media vacation
If you are on the cusp of filing for divorce, then it is probably time for you to take a step back from your social media platform of choice. Go back over old posts to remove embarrassing content and change your privacy settings so that only people you trust can see that content. You may also want to limit what you post online or avoid posting new content that could reflect badly on you.
Look at your digital history with your ex
The comments you have posted on each other’s pages in the past, the angry messages your ex sent you or even photographs that show they have started dating before filing for divorce could all play a role in your divorce proceedings.
As you start limiting what you share online, it may also be a good time to review what your ex has already shared because it could help you demonstrate certain behavior to the courts.
It’s important to remember that there is no privacy filter that will completely lock your ex out of your content. Even private messages and secret groups can lead to someone else sharing screenshots of what you say. There is, effectively, no privacy online, in the most literal sense of the word.
Reflecting carefully on the divorce process can help you avoid mistakes that could undermine your chances of a favorable outcome.