What not to post on Facebook during your divorce

On behalf of Law Offices of Barry I. Finkel, P.A. posted in divore mediation on Tuesday, October 23, 2018.

The ability to share your experiences and seek advice in times of trouble are among the biggest lures of social media.

However, if you hope to avoid a lot of conflict in your divorce and work through things in an amicable manner, there are some things you definitely don't want to do on Facebook (or any other social media site) during your divorce.

1. Mean-spirited comments

No matter how angry or hurt you are, you won't make the situation better by saying something unkind or ugly about your spouse on social media. It's also guaranteed to put your family and friends in an uncomfortable spot. It also may hurt your children considerably to see such negative comments if they have access to your social media page.

2. All the details

Oversharing can be a big problem on social media -- partially because people forget that they're putting their intimate information out there where just about anybody can find it. Keep the details of your divorce, especially if they involve things like infidelity, off social media. You don't need relatives, neighbors, co-workers and others reading all about your most private pain.

3. Anything that seems like stalking

Whether you're on good or bad terms, put your spouse's page on "mute" or just scroll by without looking at what they post for a time. Don't fall into the temptation of "liking" or commenting on everything that they put online. It might seem like you're obsessed and snooping.

4. Not-so-subtle messages

Whether you call it "humblebragging" or are honestly just gloating a little that your life is going well without your ex, don't post pictures of your dates with other people or make comments about how much happier you are now that you're on your own. It can create tension where there doesn't need to be any.

Finally, consider making the announcement of your split together. One final show of solidarity can do a lot for the perception that you're working together on an amicable divorce -- and encourage other people to treat your divorce as a positive thing. That's a good way to approach a divorce that's inevitable.