Platforms like Instagram, Twitter and TikTok help us connect with friends, families and like-minded strangers. However, while social media can provide support during divorce, it can also lead to additional stress or conflict.
The following adverse effects are reasons to consider a social media detox during your divorce.
Social media may fuel negative emotions
Social media can exacerbate feelings and emotions during a divorce. Seeing posts from your ex-spouse, their friends and family or even a new lover can trigger sadness, anger and resentment. Even posts of people you know can lead to feelings of jealousy or envy, particularly if they seem to have a healthy romantic relationship.
Aggressive posts can damage the reputation
It is natural for you and your soon-to-be ex to want to paint yourselves in the best possible light. Social media posts become a slippery slope since just one ill-conceived post or comment can lead to consequences. Even if you think you post carefully, it is easy for people to take things out of context or for others to reshare your posts beyond your intended audience.
Sustaining an online presence requires energy
The divorce process requires a lot of your time and energy. When you have social media constantly at your fingertips, it becomes an easy distraction and a way to procrastinate on essential tasks related to your divorce. Social media can also take up valuable mental space that you can use better elsewhere.
Social media can affect your children
Please be mindful of your children’s needs during your divorce. While it feels natural to want to vent your frustrations, doing so may negatively affect your children. They may see your posts or comments, which can confuse or hurt their feelings.
A social media detox can help you avoid missteps during this sensitive time.
