The actions and behavior of parties involved in mediation are often scrutinized closely. One wrong move could potentially derail an otherwise productive mediation process. As such, it’s generally wise for mediation participants to stay off of social media while the process remains active.
Mediation participants who cannot forgo social media activity altogether – perhaps for employment or co-parenting virtual visitation reasons – need to be extraordinarily mindful of their utilization of these platforms.
The consequential nature of social media activity
Confidentiality is a cornerstone of the mediation process. It allows for open and honest communication between parties, with the assurance that what is said in mediation stays within the confines of the mediation room. Social media, by its very nature, is antithetical to confidentiality.
Posts, comments or even reactions about a mediation-related situation can inadvertently reveal sensitive information about the mediation process or disclose personal opinions that were meant to be private. This can undermine the trust between the parties and the mediator, potentially derailing the mediation altogether.
It is additionally worth noting that social media activity can also be misleading. Posts interpreted as contradictory to claims made during mediation can undermine a party’s credibility. Misinterpreted social media activity can, at the very least, lead to a loss of faith in the process and might provoke retaliatory actions from the other side, further complicating the situation.
At the end of the day, it’s a good idea to either stay off of social media or to be very mindful of how one’s activity could impact the chances of reaching a favorable resolution when mediation is ongoing. Especially when there is much at stake, it simply isn’t worth taking chances that could compromise one’s mediation-related objectives.