Why Staying Off Social Media During an Atlanta Divorce Is a Smart Choice

According to recent statistics, almost 80% of the entire Georgia population has a social media account. Many people use their social media presence to communicate powerful ideas to the world – and this can be a therapeutic process for many. Social media gives you a chance to express your feelings – no matter how painful they may be. At first, it might seem tempting to use your social media presence to speak about your divorce in Atlanta. But is this really a smart choice?

How Social Media Posts Can Affect Child Custody 

Georgia courts are very aware of something called “parental alienation.” This occurs when one parent tries to turn the children against the other parent – and a common example involves social media. During your divorce, you might be tempted to “vent” about your ex’s shortcomings as a parent. Perhaps you believe that your ex is a genuine threat to your children. Maybe you think that their substance abuse problem or mental disorder makes them unsuitable for childcare responsibilities.

Whatever the case may be, it’s best to keep these thoughts to yourself during divorce proceedings. If you post such accusations on social media, the court may punish you for engaging in parental alienation. In their eyes, you are damaging the relationship between your children and their ex without going through the proper legal channels. If you want to make certain allegations during your child custody battle, you are free to do so – but only in court or during private negotiations.

The Case for Avoiding Social Media Altogether 

There is a strong case for avoiding social media altogether during your divorce proceedings. Why? Because it is all too easy to post something that could cause issues. Suppose you post pictures from a small party at your house. After posting this photo on your social media account, your ex’s attorney might examine it closely. What if they notice drug paraphernalia on the coffee table? Even if your friend brought the item to your home, this could cause issues for child custody.

Perhaps you have a disability, and you are trying to pursue higher alimony in order to achieve financial stability after divorce. What if you post a picture of yourself working out at the gym? This might call your disability into question – causing the court to lose trust in you.

These are only a few examples of worst-case scenarios involving social media. There are many other possibilities, and you never know how your ex will use your posts against you. As a result, many divorcing spouses choose to take a break from social media.

Can a Divorce Lawyer in Atlanta Help Me Avoid Mistakes? 

Social media activities during divorce represent a classic mistake – but you can avoid these errors by working with legal professionals. An Atlanta divorce lawyer can educate you about the road ahead – guiding you away from simple mistakes and toward positive results. Book your consultation with Buckhead Family Law today to learn more about the intersection of social media and divorce.

Sources: 

datareportal.com/reports/digital-2024-georgia

cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/texts-social-media-divorce-1.7316992