In today’s hyper-connected world, social media is often an extension of our lives. We share our thoughts, experiences, and even our most intimate moments with friends, family, and the wider online community. But what happens when your personal life takes a dramatic turn, like a divorce or a lawsuit for injuries you have suffered? Suddenly, the things you once posted freely can become weapons used against you in court, ammunition for online trolls, or a source of unwanted scrutiny from friends and family.

The Privacy Peril

A lawyer, like a mediation lawyer, knows that oversharing details about your case can cause a lot of problems. These problems include

Social Media Posts are Evidence in Court: Anything you post on social media, from photos and videos to comments and status updates, can be used as evidence against you. The other side will not look for any nuance. This includes seemingly innocuous posts, like vacation pictures that contradict your claims. This can sink your case. Think of how people get canceled for posts they made as young teens. This can happen in your case too.
Fuel for the Flames: Publicly airing your grievances can inflame tensions and make it harder to reach an amicable settlement. It can also damage your reputation and relationships with loved ones.
Online Harassment: In the worst-case scenario, your social media presence could make you a target for online harassment or stalking by others involved in the case. It also might mean that they believe you have been awarded millions of dollars and come begging.

A Practical Guide To Protecting Your Privacy

So, how can you navigate the social media minefield during your case and protect your privacy? Here are some practical tips:

Privacy Settings: Review and tighten your privacy settings on all your social media platforms. Limit who can see your posts, comments, and photos. Consider taking a break from platforms altogether if necessary.
Don’t Delete Posts Without Talking to Your Lawyer First: There is a concept called spoliation or destruction of evidence. You might be tempted to delete anything unflattering to hide it. Do not do that unless your lawyer gives you the OK, but you can change the privacy settings to keep it from being easily found.
Think Before You Post: Before hitting “publish,” ask yourself: “Would I be comfortable with the other side, my lawyer, or the judge seeing this?” If the answer is no, don’t post it.
Mind Your Friends List: Take a critical look at your friends list and remove anyone who might share your posts or others you want to keep your case private from

Remember, what you post online stays online, even if you delete it later. Screenshots and cached versions can resurface at any time, causing you embarrassment and potentially harming your case. Our friends at Flat Fee Divorce Solutions want you to know that during your case, it’s more important than ever to be mindful of your digital footprint. Taking proactive steps to protect your privacy will save you stress, heartache, and potential embarrassment when the other attorney reads your social media posts out loud in a courtroom. Speak with a lawyer about your case today.