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A mother who swears she doesn’t drink may face photos of her with a drink in hand just days prior to making a statement. A former spouse may go on Facebook and post vitriolic comments about an ex. Posts on social media may even be used as evidence in child custody cases.

The problem with all of this negative adult interaction on social media sites during and after a divorce is that children using the internet may be inadvertently exposed to it. They may see their father flaunting a new car while they are struggling financially or see a mother going on vacations with a new boyfriend.

Internet visitation and technology a pro

There is one way in which the internet can be used positively after a divorce. It provides a way for the child to communicate with the absent parent. Before this possibility existed, dads often fell by the wayside after a divorce. Now they are able to maintain a level of closeness with a child, even when they are not physically close.

Whatever has gone wrong with the relationship, both parents still have an important role in the child’s life. Allowing a child to keep contact with the other parent via mobile phone or the internet can make a child feel much better and allow the bond to remain strong. Of course, it’s not a substitute for seeing a parent in person but it is far better than not seeing the other parent at all between visits.

Technology also offers other practical advantages during a divorce. It helps parents to make plans and decisions with minimal interaction, thus keeping boundaries intact.

The evidence shows that the internet can be a blessing or a curse for children after a divorce. It is often not the divorce itself, but the poor level of handling of the situation by the parents that causes unnatural amounts of stress for the children. If parents manage to keep a united front, even when it comes to internet usage, this will help to ensure that children stay as safe and happy as possible when experiencing divorce.