Ever since MySpace and Facebook launched on the Internet, an ever growing amount of the population has turned to social media to share everything from pictures to status updates. Even here at Minick Law, P.C. in Gastonia, NC, we use a variety of social media websites and applications to connect with prospective, current, and past clients. However, with this rampant use of social media, how much sharing is too much? Specifically, how can social media affect my divorce?
Social media is, as its title suggests, social and, therefore, intended to be public. Many people believe that their profiles and accounts are protected in some way. This is simply not the case. In general, any information you post or share on most social media platforms is public information. In fact, the Terms of Use on most platforms explain that information shared there is not yours to own and is not considered private.
These "terms of use" and their public nature apply also to the divorce process. Many people turn to social media when they're going through divorce because it truly is an emotional and stressful process. So, they use social media to vent, to seek advice, and, often, to speak negatively about their spouse. This last one can carry with it serious consequences. Negative posts, explicit or incriminating images, and many other types of material are found, saved, and brought up in court. This kind of information can be detrimental to you in your divorce case.
Social media has also become an effective tool for divorce lawyers to gather evidence of affairs by one of the spouses. Not only can social media show information about the different potential lovers a spouse may have through their friends list, but it can also find incriminating information including: pictures, locations the spouse has visited, and status updates that may show that a spouse was lying about their activities.
Yes, social media connects the world in a special way. But it is important to remember that the information on there is public. In general, the rule should be that if you wouldn't say it in person, then you shouldn't say it on social media (and, perhaps, you should be even more careful because proof of your activity never disappears on social media).
Social media is, as its title suggests, social and, therefore, intended to be public. Many people believe that their profiles and accounts are protected in some way. This is simply not the case. In general, any information you post or share on most social media platforms is public information. In fact, the Terms of Use on most platforms explain that information shared there is not yours to own and is not considered private.
These "terms of use" and their public nature apply also to the divorce process. Many people turn to social media when they're going through divorce because it truly is an emotional and stressful process. So, they use social media to vent, to seek advice, and, often, to speak negatively about their spouse. This last one can carry with it serious consequences. Negative posts, explicit or incriminating images, and many other types of material are found, saved, and brought up in court. This kind of information can be detrimental to you in your divorce case.
Social media has also become an effective tool for divorce lawyers to gather evidence of affairs by one of the spouses. Not only can social media show information about the different potential lovers a spouse may have through their friends list, but it can also find incriminating information including: pictures, locations the spouse has visited, and status updates that may show that a spouse was lying about their activities.
Yes, social media connects the world in a special way. But it is important to remember that the information on there is public. In general, the rule should be that if you wouldn't say it in person, then you shouldn't say it on social media (and, perhaps, you should be even more careful because proof of your activity never disappears on social media).
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Learn more about Social Media in Divorce. Stop by Megan Sheppard's site where you can find out all about Divorce Law in Gastonia, NC.
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