The post you didn’t mean to post
It starts harmless: a song lyric, a “new chapter” selfie, a joke your friends will “get.” Then your ex gets the screenshots, your in-laws chime in, someone’s boss sees it, and the quiet divorce gets loud. Online drama is the fastest way to turn uncontested into uncomfortable. The fix is simple: put the social rules in writing.
A social media clause isn’t about censorship. It’s about protecting privacy, kids, jobs, and the fragile peace you worked hard to create.
What a real social media clause actually covers
A few lines of vague “let’s be respectful” won’t cut it. You need specifics your judge can enforce and your future self will thank you for.
No-post and limited-post rules
Set guardrails for both of you: no insults, no accusations, no “blind items,” no reposting DMs or texts, and no sharing private documents (bank statements, therapy notes, legal filings) without written consent.
Kid photos and school info
If you have children, decide now: who can post the kids, how often, and with what limits. Many families agree to no school logos, team names, locations, or schedules in captions. Tagging other adults? Get permission first.
Privacy and DMs
Ban sharing screenshots of each other’s messages, private emails, or recorded calls. Promise not to tag one another or relatives in heated posts. If a third party harasses, both parents agree to block and report.
Takedown and cleanup
If someone slips, how fast must the post come down? Spell out a short window for deletion and, if needed, a short apology or correction—nothing dramatic, just enough to stop the rumor mill.
Consequences that matter
Peace is easier to keep when there’s a real incentive. Fee-shifting for willful violations (the rule-breaker pays the other side’s reasonable fees to enforce the clause) keeps everyone careful. Add a quick mediation step for gray areas.
Why this protects your kids more than anything
Children don’t just hear about online fights—they see them. Classmates see them. Coaches and teachers see them. A social media clause keeps the adult conflict out of the child’s world by setting:
- A neutral, predictable communication tone
- A ban on posting court papers and arguments
- A photo policy that puts safety over likes
- A simple path to fix mistakes fast
When parents aren’t litigating on Instagram, kids stop absorbing the blowback.
“But my account is private.” About that…
Private is not private when screenshots exist. One shared follower, one forwarded Story, one saved Snap—now it’s public enough to hurt your case or your job. Assume anything you post could reach the judge, your HR department, and your child’s guidance counselor. That mindset makes the clause easier to respect.
Georgia practicality: local matters
Uncontested divorce in Georgia still has county rules. A social media clause belongs inside a clear, county-compliant packet with the other essentials: settlement agreement, parenting plan, and (if applicable) the Georgia Child Support Worksheet. Judges in Richmond, Columbia, and Burke want terms that are specific and enforceable, not poetic. When the paperwork is precise and the court is satisfied, many uncontested matters can be presented for approval about 30 days after signatures.
Red flags to retire
- “We’ll be respectful.” → Set no-post and limited-post categories and examples.
- “We’ll figure out kid photos later.” → Decide now: who can post, what can be shown, and how often.
- “It’s just a lyric.” → If it can be read as a jab, don’t post it during the case.
- “I’ll delete it if they ask nicely.” → Use a takedown window that doesn’t depend on goodwill.
Specifics prevent arguments. Arguments create screenshots. Screenshots create hearings.
How this keeps your uncontested case uncontested
You chose the calm path: no court appearances in many cases, fast timeline, and a dignified finish. A social media clause:
- Prevents evidence-gathering spirals (no more “look what they posted” emails)
- Protects employment and licensing (especially in sensitive professions)
- Keeps the parenting plan on track (no “you disparaged me” detours)
- Saves money (issues are handled with a quick delete, not a motion)
It’s a tiny section with an outsized impact on peace.
Gentle rules that work in real life
- Post about your own life, not your ex.
- Share wins, not wounds.
- Save raw feelings for your therapist, best friend, or a private journal.
- If in doubt, draft then wait 24 hours. Most “must post” hot takes don’t age well.
Professional bottom line
Your divorce doesn’t need an online audience. A clean social media and privacy clause makes sure it never gets one. It protects reputations, safeguards children, and keeps your uncontested case exactly that—uncontested.
Closing message
Want a county-ready packet that includes a smart social media clause and the right protections for kids and careers? Catherine Verdery Ryan, Attorney at Law, drafts and reviews uncontested agreements that judges can approve the first time.
Visit catherineryanlawyer.com to keep your peace on paper—and off the internet.