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.
The privacy problems with social media also extend to divorce proceedings. Because the divorce process can be a difficult and contentious time, emotions and stress tend to run high. In dealing with these problems, potentially damaging statements can be made without thinking. More often then not, many people wind up posting negative messages or content on social media about their divorce. Typically, this is done to vent or to get opinions from there friends. However, this posting is not just between friends. It can easily be found, saved, and later brought up in court. This evidence could then harm your chances in everything from your separation agreement to child custody.
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.
The privacy problems with social media also extend to divorce proceedings. Because the divorce process can be a difficult and contentious time, emotions and stress tend to run high. In dealing with these problems, potentially damaging statements can be made without thinking. More often then not, many people wind up posting negative messages or content on social media about their divorce. Typically, this is done to vent or to get opinions from there friends. However, this posting is not just between friends. It can easily be found, saved, and later brought up in court. This evidence could then harm your chances in everything from your separation agreement to child custody.
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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