With the way we use social media these days, it is understandable that everything in our lives can be shared with the masses with just a few keystrokes. But with every funny video we share or vintage picture we unearth, we are also quick to publicly admonish those we despise.

That said, it is increasingly common for relationship troubles to be broadcast across Facebook or Twitter. However, the people who send these messages or make these posts may not think about their long term implications; especially in the heat of the moment, and particularly when they are in the midst of a divorce or custody dispute.

As such, parents embroiled in these types of disputes should do their best to think twice before posting explosive online rants. Why? Because the Internet has essentially become the best place to find information that can be exploited.

This is because statements made on social media platforms are basically public record, and can be discoverable by just about anyone. Even if you take down a page or delete a Tweet, it doesn’t completely disappear from prying eyes. So a vindictive parent who is motivated by revenge could dig for incriminating information to torpedo one’s custody or divorce case.

So before you think about venting to the world about how terrible a parent is, or want to air someone’s dirty laundry because you think it may help your case, consider that judges expect parents (and divorcees) to put personal issues aside when they enter the courtroom (literally and figuratively), and what is said online could be used against you in a court of law.