5 Facebook Faux Pas and Divorce

Divorce is complicated, and while discussing your feelings with friends and family can certainly help you through the process, sharing your situation with 600 of your “closest” Facebook friends can be counterproductive.

Faux Pas #1: Don’t Jump the Gun

When you are accustomed to sharing every detail of your life with your facebook friends, it may seem strange keeping something so major under wraps. But discretion can help couples avoid hurt feeling and legal chaos, so talk to your ex-partner about your social media strategy.

Make a mutual decision about how to break the news. It can be as subtle as changing a relationship status or a bit bolder with making an announcement, but whatever you do consult your ex-partner first.

Faux Pas #2: Pump the Brakes on the Bashing

Social media can provide a huge support system, but don’t tear down your ex to your online entourage. While it may be obvious that mean-spirited, rants creates tension with your ex, it’s important to recognize the tension is creates with family and friends. It can be hurtful to the ones you love. Don’t force them to pick sides.

Instead, focus on empathy and considering how these posts will affect your children, family or friends.

Faux Pas #3: Do NOT Incriminate Yourself

Before you hashtag #singlelife or brag about your new, luxury retail purchase, think about how that might affect your settlement or custody agreement. According to an article in the New York Times, 81% of attorneys have used information captured from social media networks.

Faux Pas #4: Stop Stalking

Who hasn’t fallen down the Facebook stalking rabbit hole? But for the sake of your own sanity, avoid “researching” every new Facebook friend your ex makes. Monitoring your exes activity stifles your ability to move on, keeping you stuck in the past and creating major obstacles for your new future.

Faux Pas #5: Halt the “Humble” Bragging

Everyone knows a person who is guilty of “humble” bragging on Facebook. It’s one of the most common social media snafus. While it may be tempting to talk about your life without your ex, passive aggressive posts like posting photos of your new fling or memes about being better off can actually slow your healing and create unnecessary controversy.