Social media has become an increasingly important—and often contentious—issue in divorce and custody cases, particularly when it comes to children. Parents frequently ask whether they
can limit their child’s use of social media or prevent their child from being posted online by the other parent or third parties.
If you have questions about how social media is regulated in Connecticut divorce and custody cases, contact our talented divorce attorneys today for a free consultation.
In recent years, concerns about the impact of social media on children have come to the forefront. These concerns range from the exposure of children’s private or confidential information on the emotional and psychological effects of social media use itself. Children may be exposed to negativity, inappropriate content, or online pressure that parents feel unequipped to manage.
One book I often recommend to parents is The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. The book has spent significant time on the New York Times bestseller list and explores how smartphones and social media have negatively affected children’s mental health. It also encourages parents to consider delaying children’s access to these platforms until they reach a more appropriate age.
Ideally, parents are able to reach an agreement about how their children will interact with social media. This can include whether children are allowed to have social media accounts, whether they may have smartphones, and whether photos or information about them may be posted online by parents or third parties such as daycare providers or athletic organizations.
These agreements can be memorialized directly in a divorce or custody agreement. For example, parents may agree that children will not have social media accounts such as Instagram or TikTok until a certain age, or that they will not have smartphones until a specific point in time. Parents may also include provisions requiring both parties to take reasonable steps to prevent children from being posted on social media platforms.
If parents cannot reach an agreement and have significantly different views on social media, a court may need to become involved. A parent can file a motion asking the court to impose specific limitations, such as restricting children from using certain platforms, prohibiting parents from posting photos of the children, or limiting the sharing of sensitive information about a child’s education or medical care.
When deciding these issues, the court applies the “best interest of the child” standard. The judge will consider evidence from both parents and determine what restrictions, if any, are appropriate. The court may then issue orders governing how children may use social media and how they may be discussed or depicted online.
Once court orders are in place, both parents are required to follow them. If a parent violates those orders, the other parent may file a motion for contempt. Potential consequences can include financial penalties, sanctions, or even restrictions on parenting time. In cases of repeated violations, a parent may also seek a modification of the parenting plan based on the other parent’s failure to comply with orders designed to protect the child’s best interests.
These are the basics of how social media use can be regulated in Connecticut divorce and custody cases. If you have questions about your specific situation or are seeking representation in a Connecticut divorce or family law matter, we invite you to contact our office.
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