Social media has boomed since its takeoff with Myspace and it's rapid growth now through platforms like Facebook, Google+, and Twitter. The ability to stay in touch with friends and family through posts, pictures and shares is contagious. Here at Minick Law, P.C. in Gastonia, NC, our divorce lawyers use it frequently to stay in touch with our community of friends, business partners and, most especially, our clients. But here's the thing about social media: it's public. And though many people think that their posts, shares, and other types of information are privately protected by each platform, it's simply not the case. Most platforms, and any information contained therein, is public. If you are seeking or are in the middle of a divorce then yours and your spouse's social media activity matters.
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 (or some other kind of infidelity) by one of the spouses. Friends lists on Facebook, Google+, or Twitter, pictures on Snapchat, visits to certain profiles on the Internet or physical places-all these can be tracked and used as incriminating evidence that you are cheating on your spouse.
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 (or some other kind of infidelity) by one of the spouses. Friends lists on Facebook, Google+, or Twitter, pictures on Snapchat, visits to certain profiles on the Internet or physical places-all these can be tracked and used as incriminating evidence that you are cheating on your spouse.
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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