Unfriending, Blocking, and Stalking: Social Media During Divorce

 Posted on March 13, 2025 in Divorce

Social media has become a central part of everyday life, but during a divorce, your online presence can impact your case in ways you may not expect. What you post, like, or even look at could be used as evidence in court.

Whether you are considering blocking your ex, snooping on their profile, or venting about your divorce online, it is important to know how social media can affect everything from custody to asset division. Talk to an Illinois divorce lawyer for advice about how to manage your social media during divorce to make sure you stay out of trouble and position yourself for a strong divorce settlement.

Can Social Media Hurt Your Divorce Case?

What you post online can definitely be used against you in a divorce. Illinois courts allow social media content to be used as evidence, which means that a simple Facebook post, Instagram photo, or tweet could impact issues in the following ways: 

Property Division

If your social media activity suggests you are hiding assets or spending irresponsibly, it could affect financial settlements.

Spousal Support

Pictures of fancy vacations or expensive purchases may lead to claims that you do not need or should not be paying alimony.

Child Custody

If your social media posts show irresponsible behavior — such as drinking too much or neglecting your parenting duties — it could influence custody decisions

Should You Unfriend or Block Your Spouse During Divorce?

Unfriending or blocking your ex may help prevent unnecessary conflict, but it is not always the best move. If you have a high-conflict divorce, blocking your spouse may lead to accusations that you are hiding something, especially if you are arguing over custody or financial matters.

However, if seeing your ex’s posts causes you to feel sad or angry, or leads to arguments, blocking your spouse could be a healthy thing to do. Another option is adjusting privacy settings so you cannot see each other’s activity while still keeping access to necessary information, such as updates about your children.

The Dangers of Social Media Stalking

It can be tempting to check in on your ex’s social media accounts, but stalking their profile can backfire. Engaging with their posts, commenting under fake accounts, or repeatedly checking their updates may be viewed as harassment, especially if legal protection orders are involved. If your ex finds out you have been snooping, they may use it to their advantage in court.

If you suspect your ex is lying about financial information or acting irresponsibly with your children, it is better to speak with your attorney rather than collecting social media evidence yourself. A lawyer can ensure that any necessary information is obtained legally and presented in a way that helps your case.

Get Legal Guidance from a Wheaton, IL Divorce Lawyer

Divorce is stressful enough without worrying about how your online activity might affect your case. If you are unsure about what to do — or not do — on social media, a DuPage County, IL divorce attorney can help you navigate the process safely.

Contact Andrew Cores Family Law Group at 630-871-1002 for a free consultation. We can help protect your rights and ensure that social media does not negatively impact your case.