Media/Social Media Conduct Clauses

Posts live forever, and family‑law fights online can hurt children and backfire in court. Smart orders include specific media and social‑media rules so parents don’t weaponize the internet. Here’s how to draft clauses that judges will enforce and parents can follow.

Core protections. Start with a mutual non‑disparagement clause: neither parent will make negative or harassing statements about the other parent or the child support case in any public or semi‑public forum, including social media, blogs, or group chats. Add a child‑privacy clause: no posting the child’s personal information (full name, school, medical details, schedules) or photos that reveal locations in real time. Include a rule against discussing the litigation with or in front of the child, on‑ or offline.

Boundaries around the case. Prohibit posting of court filings, audio/video from hearings, or sealed/under‑seal materials. For safety cases, bar tagging employers or contacting the other parent’s workplace on social platforms. If fundraising is necessary (e.g., medical crises), require that any public posts be factual, approved in writing by both parents, and omit blame.

Messaging and indirect contact. Many protective orders include “no indirect contact.” Mirror that online: no using social media to send messages to the other parent through friends or comments, no subtweeting, and no sharing memes that target the other parent. If a co‑parenting app is ordered, state that case‑related communications must stay within that app, not spill onto public platforms.

Children’s accounts. For older kids with their own accounts, parents should avoid monitoring in a way that undermines trust. Orders can require parents to (1) set age‑appropriate privacy settings, (2) refrain from posting about the case, and (3) consult each other before creating new public accounts for the child (e.g., sports recruiting). If a child posts about the other parent inappropriately, address it offline; do not retaliate publicly.

Enforcement and remedies. Specify that violations may result in removal of posts, make‑up time for damage to parenting relationships, fee shifting, or, in egregious cases, contempt. Judges enforce what is clear; vague “don’t be mean online” clauses fail. Provide an expedited process: screenshots submitted by email to a parenting coordinator within 48 hours, with authority to order post removal pending court review.

Education and de‑escalation. Include a requirement to complete a brief online course on digital citizenship or a family‑law‑specific social‑media class. Provide a 24‑hour cooling‑off rule: if a message is written in anger, save it as a draft and revisit the next day before sending. Many conflicts evaporate overnight.

Bottom line. The internet shouldn’t raise your child—parents should. With crisp, enforceable rules about what stays offline, you protect the child’s privacy and keep the case focused on real issues, not viral drama.

Disclaimer: Educational information only; not legal advice. Court practices vary by state and change over time. Consult a licensed attorney.

Press and public statements. If media attention arises (e.g., a high‑profile parent or a viral post), limit public statements to neutral facts and avoid discussing minors. Designate one spokesperson—often counsel—and require that any press release omit the child’s name and school, and avoid photos that reveal home locations. Courts are skeptical of litigants who try their case in the press; measured silence protects the child and your credibility.

Practical checklist. (1) Turn on privacy settings for all accounts; (2) remove geotagging from photos by default; (3) don’t post in real time from exchanges, school events, or medical visits; (4) create a family rule that no adult posts images of the child without both parents’ written consent; (5) screenshot violations with timestamps and URLs for easy court reference. These small habits make clauses enforceable in practice, not just on paper.