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?
Because social media has grown so quickly and spread to so many, people often believe that their information is, in some way, kept private or only available for public use in a limited way. This is not the case. As a general rule, everything you post or share is easily accessible with the right expertise and tools. Furthermore, most Terms of Use on social media platforms state that information shared on those platforms (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Linkedin, Snapchat, etc.) is not yours to own and is not considered private.
These same privacy problems found in social media apply to divorce proceedings. Divorce is a highly stressful and, often, emotionally unstable time which can lead to statements-through pictures, posts, or shares-being made without appropriate consideration of their consequences. Most of the time people take their stress or anger to social media platforms and post negative messages about their spouse. Unfortunately, this information is not private and can be found, saved, and later brought up in court. This evidence is especially harmful to you in separation agreements and child custody cases.
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).
Because social media has grown so quickly and spread to so many, people often believe that their information is, in some way, kept private or only available for public use in a limited way. This is not the case. As a general rule, everything you post or share is easily accessible with the right expertise and tools. Furthermore, most Terms of Use on social media platforms state that information shared on those platforms (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Linkedin, Snapchat, etc.) is not yours to own and is not considered private.
These same privacy problems found in social media apply to divorce proceedings. Divorce is a highly stressful and, often, emotionally unstable time which can lead to statements-through pictures, posts, or shares-being made without appropriate consideration of their consequences. Most of the time people take their stress or anger to social media platforms and post negative messages about their spouse. Unfortunately, this information is not private and can be found, saved, and later brought up in court. This evidence is especially harmful to you in separation agreements and child custody cases.
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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Want to find out more about Divorce in Gastonia, NC, then visit Megan Sheppard's site on how to choose the best Divorce Lawyer for your needs.
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