Should you allow your kids to be using social media platforms and allowing your children to publicly document their entire childhood? This article will share how allowing your children to be on social media platforms can harm your custody case, and how judges approach this subject.
HOW JUDGES LOOK AT CHILDREN’S USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
Judges often take the position that is shows poor judgment when parents allow their children to be on social media platforms. Judges also believe allowing children to be on social media platforms is inappropriate.
Note, that if you allow your children to be on a social media platform, it can be used against you in a custody case. Why?
In the State of Michigan, providing appropriate guidance for your children is one of the best interest factors judges review to make a determination regarding custody and parenting time. Judges take the position that allowing your child to be on social media can be evidence that you are not providing appropriate guidance for your children.
Additionally, judges believe allowing children to be on social media platforms can speak to your home environment. And a parent’s home environment is yet another best interest factor judges review in making their final decision on custody.
TERMS OF SERVICE FOR SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS
As a parent you need to understand the terms of service for each social media platform your children may be using. What is the minimum age for each platform? Judges do not take it lightly when parents allow their child to be on social media platform when they are too young to legally be on the platforms.
HOW SOCIAL MEDIA CAN HARM YOUR CHILD AS AN ADULT
Judges also believe your children can suffer long term consequences for statements made on social media platforms. Anything your children post on social media platforms can remain there forever. These posts can have significant impact your children as they become adults looking to get into college, looking for that scholarship, and looking for the first job.
REAL LIFE STORY
A story shared by a judge at a conference went as follows: the child was accepted to college on a full athletic scholarship. When the college did a background check on the child’s use of social media, they found comments they did not approve of.
These comments were made when the child was in high school. Yet, those comments were used against the child as the college rescinded this child’s athletic scholarship and admission into college.
To conclude, if you are in a custody battle, you need to think twice about allowing your children to be active on social media platforms. Of course, if your children are on social media platforms and how it can impact your case is dependent on your judge’s personal perspective, and can vary from judge to judge.
CONTACT SCHMITT LAW, PLLC FOR LEGAL ADVICE ON CUSTODY. GRAND RAPIDS FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY SERVING KENT, OTTAWA, AND ALLEGAN COUNTY.
If you are concerned about your children being on social media platforms while at the ex’s house, Schmitt Law, PLLC. We’ll help you pursue the best outcome in your family law dispute. To schedule a consultation or learn more about our services, contact us online or call (616) 608-4634.
