Relationship Breakdowns Go Public – The Perils of Using Social Media To Air Family Disputes

In an era where personal lives are increasingly being shared online, social media has become a double-edged sword.  A place to express identity, thoughts and feelings to an online community and a battle ground where private disputes can explode into public spectacle.  Nowhere is this more evident than the ongoing feud in the Beckham family between Brooklyn Peltz-Beckham and his parents David and Victoria Beckham.  What began as a report of family tensions/feuds has now become a very public drama played out in Instagram posts, media commentary and headlines around the world. 

In January 2026, the 26-year-old son of one of Britain’s most iconic families, posted a series of emotionally charged messages on social media accusing his parents of controlling and inappropriate behaviour and alleging that they tried to undermine his marriage to the actress Nicola Peltz-Beckham.  Their son declared he no longer wished to reconcile with them and said he wanted nothing but peace, privacy and happiness in his future. 

Social media gives anyone with an account – from ordinary private individuals to those born into fame, immediate access to millions of followers.  Brooklyn may have thought posting in this way enabled him to speak directly to the public, but acting in this way contains risks, including:

• Amplification of private pain – posting family disputes publicly can escalate disagreements that may have been resolved or at least contained privately, especially with the passage of time.   What might have become a private conversation plays out publicly with little opportunity for damage control.
• Loss of narrative control - whilst Brooklyn may have aimed to control his own story, comments from fans and the press often distort that original intent. 
• Emotional fall-out – posting on social media is obviously one sided.  Once something has been posted there can be no easy retraction and the impact on those involved whilst played out publicly, can have serious long-lasting consequences.

What Are The Lessons That Can Be Learned For Separating Couples?

• Firstly, be aware that any social media posts, can be copied and used in Court Proceedings.  The Court tend to take a dim view of couples who choose to share family or marital grievances on social media platforms.  In children’s cases, the Judge can and does scrutinise how the parents have behaved, including whether or not they have exposed the children to adult conflict.  Sometimes, unwise social media posts can come back to haunt the posting parent and can be used against them in Court Proceedings, and lead to a Judge or CAFCASS Officer, or others, taking an unfavourable view of their conduct which in turn can play into the hands of the other parent.  
• There have been cases where repeated/vexatious posts on social media have formed the basis of the other party applying to the Court for a Non-Molestation Injunction alleging that such posts amount to harassment and or bringing unwanted attention.  The posting party could therefore end up with an Order against them and possibly have to pay costs to the other side. 

How can we help?

Taking expert legal advice on family conflicts, seeking couple counselling or individual counselling, is a much better way of dealing with conflict than airing in public.  A few seconds on a keyboard can have lifelong consequences. 

If you want to talk about any of the above issues, or need advice on relationship breakdown, please contact our Family Law team by telephone on 01332 225225, complete our contact form, or send us an email via info@smithpartnership.co.uk.