How Social Media Can Harm Your Marriage and Divorce

 Posted on March 01, 2016 in Divorce

Social media seems innocuous enough – what is risky about keeping in touch with friends and family? A lot, apparently: studies show that there is a link between social media usage and decreased marital quality. And if marriage ends up in divorce, the things that you say to others on the web may be used against you, too.

The Connection Between Social Media and Divorce

The more that one spouse in the relationship uses social media, the more jealous or suspicious the other spouse may become, creating tension in the marriage. In fact, one study reports that as many as one in every seven people has stated that they have thought about divorce as a result of their partners’ online activity. The study, conducted by a UK law firm, also found that 17 percent of couples participating in the study argued about social media usage every day. If you want to reduce your chance of divorce, staying off of Facebook may be part of the answer.

When Social Media Is Used Against You in a Divorce

There is another reason to stay off social media if your marriage is contentious: your spouse may use your social media account against you. While Illinois divorce code does not allow for the consideration of marital misconduct when making a determination about things such as alimony or property division during divorce, your misconduct may be used to highlight infidelity or irresponsibility, which your spouse could use against you in a custody case. Anything that you post on social media is considered evidence, and may be used against you during divorce proceedings. Keep in mind that once divorce proceedings have commenced, destroying any evidence is prohibited. As such, it is important that you refrain from posting anything questionable before you file for divorce.

More than that, a divorce can be very emotional. When emotions are running high, the last thing that you want to have to worry about is posting something you might regret on the internet. Rude comments, photos, or messages can be damaging, and generate hostility and drama. For parents who have children, this drama can be especially detrimental, and should be avoided at all costs.

If you are seeking a divorce in Illinois, the best thing that you can do is to stay off of social media until things cool down. When enough time has passed, reactivating your social media account is probably okay. At all times, however, consider social media etiquette and remain professional and appropriate.

How an Illinois Divorce Lawyer Can Help You

If you have questions about social media usage in divorce, do not hesitate to contact a skilled Illinois divorce lawyer. Serving the areas of Naperville, Wheaton, Downers Grove, Lombard, Lisle, and Aurora, the team at Fay, Farrow & Associates, P.C. possesses the qualities needed to resolve your divorce case in a timely and effective manner. To learn more, call our offices for a free case consultation at 630-961-0060.