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Are iPhones Really Adult Pacifiers?

There was an article in the Sunday,  Orlando Sentinel, July 5, 2020 by Jessica Stillman titled “Adult Pacifiers”. She states that smartphones lull us into oversharing, according to a Wharton study. Do you think this is true? How could this affect your Marital & Family Law case in the Orlando, Florida area? The article says that people behave differently online. The author states that people go on crazed Twitter rants, post oddly personal updates on FaceBook, and allow themselves to be nastier than they would in person. The author asked if online posts change us or reveal us? How does this relate to your Marital and Family Law cases?  All that information that you post on social media can be used against you during your divorce case and/or your custody case. Remember, the opposing party can use all that against you. Do not post anything that you would not want a judge to see in your court case. Stay off social media if you are inebriated. Most things that you post when you are drunk will come back to haunt you. 

The article suggests that our smartphones lull us into being too honest. Do you think that is true? How would that affect your Marital and Family Law case? By being truthful in your posts, would you say stuff you later would regret? The study found that people are way more personal and open on the phone. This contrasts with being on a computer or in person. Do you believe that? Again, how could that affect your Marital and Family Law case? The Wharton study found that the public tends to convey feelings or thoughts that are more private or intimate on smartphones. Do you think that is true? Could this information hurt you in a Marital and Family Law case if your spouse or the opposing party got their hands on it? The article states that smartphones general content seem to be more diagnostic of how people truly feel. The author Malamud of the Wharton study says that is in part because they are adult pacifiers that soothe and calm us and present a sense of safety that lulls us into giving away more personal and honest information than we intended. Further, the author states that they narrow our focus on what we are writing and nudge us to forget other considerations like privacy or politeness. 

This is food for thought. If you are in the middle of a Marital and Family Law case. Think about this article before you freely post away. You may regret it if your spouse or other parent uses it against you in your case. 

If you have more questions regarding a Marital and Family Law matter, you may call Ann Marie Giordano Gilden at Ann Marie Giordano Gilden, P.A. at 407-732-7620 and set an initial consultation. You may also visit my website at: https//:www.AnnMarieGildenLaw.com

This article is for informational purposes only; and it does not form an attorney client privilege.