Filing for divorce and fighting over child rights are already very stressful times. It is now time for social media, a place where feelings can run wild and knowledge can be easily used as a tool. Parents’ online behavior can affect where their children live, which makes the digital world an unexpected battleground in custody battles.
If you are fighting for child custody and are worried about what you do online, you should talk to an experienced lawyer. The Law Office of David J. Rodriguez, PLLC, can help you get what is best for your kids and protect your rights.
It can be a public display of how (un)fit you are to raise the child.
Think about a judge choosing who gets primary custody. One parent’s social media feed shows examples of good parenting through pictures of their kids having fun at school events, birthday parties, or just spending time with their kids.
The other parent’s profile tells a different story, with references to partying late at night, acting in dangerous ways, or even saying bad things about the ex-partner. These pictures posted online can have a big effect and affect the judge’s choice about who can give the child a safer and more caring home.
The impact your words can have.
It can be tempting to vent online because it is so easy, especially during a nasty breakup. But a bad post about your ex or the child’s life that airs dirty laundry can harm. The judge looks out for the child’s best interests, and parents who fight in public are less likely to be able to put the child’s well-being ahead of their own problems.
The lines of privacy are blurred.
To a lot of people, their social media groups are private. But when it comes to child custody, the court can ask to see information that seems private.
You can get back even “friends-only” posts and use them as proof. Because you can not really be private online, it is even more important to be careful about what you share, especially during private court procedures.
Beyond the profiles of the parents.
Social media has an effect that goes beyond the posts themselves. It is possible to look at comments you leave on someone’s page, “likes” you give to content that some people might find offensive, or even your online friendships. This means that parents need to watch out for both their kids’ and their friends’ online activities.
The children get caught in the crossfire.
The fact that social media can hurt kids is probably the most worrisome thing about custody fights. It may be against their will to post pictures or information about their life without their permission. Also, letting them see fights between parents online can be bad for their feelings.
Take control of your digital narrative.
So, how can parents deal with this new world? Here are some important steps:
- Changes for privacy. Check all of your private settings on social media and make them stricter.
- Before you post, think. When you write something, think about how it would be seen in court. Would it make you look like a good parent?
- Get your feed in order. You might want to get rid of old posts that could be taken the wrong way.
- Get help from a professional. You should talk to a family law attorney to find out how social media can affect your case.
Social media is a great way to connect with others, but when it comes to child custody, it needs to be used with care. As long as parents are aware of what they are doing online, they can keep their chances of getting care of their children safe from the bad things that can happen in the digital world.
Find a lawyer who has dealt with child custody situations before. They can look out for your rights and what is best for your child. When making your choice, think about their fees, image, and how well they can communicate.
