
When you get ready to file for divorce, there are many things that you have to consider. How will you break it to your spouse? Your kids? Your friends and extended family? Somewhere along the way, your Facebook friends also became a consideration, though many believe Facebook announcements are unnecessary when it comes to your relationship. But does announcing it via the popular social networking site make life easier or worse? Let’s examine the pros and cons.
Pros
- You can fulfill the need to communicate without having to face each person.
- You can unburden yourself with a sentence or two and then answer any questions that friends and family may have privately.
- You can rekindle old relationships that may have soured due to the marriage you were in (friendships and romantic relationships).
- You can work through some of your feelings without appearing too vulnerable.
Cons
- Everyone could potentially know your business, including acquaintances that you would rather keep in the dark.
- There is no guarantee that everyone you want to read it, will.
- It can run the risk of making you one of those “TMI,” or “too much information” people that pop culture enthusiasts often complain about.
- It can make you seem whiny or needy or attention-seeking if handled poorly.
- It can lead to public revelations of what should be very private matters.
Ultimately, the decision is up to you regarding how you handle it, and it can be a positive or a negative depending on the situation. Obviously, if a lot of conflict exists between you and your spouse as you move closer to finalizing the divorce papers, then you may want to have a social media blackout until the matter is settled. And even after it is settled, make sure you’re staying positive and not using Facebook as a platform for airing grievances. That can lead to further legal action under the wrong circumstances.
Most of the time, if you use common sense and discretion, you should be fine. But make sure you’re weighing the pros and cons fervently before going forward.