Meet the middle-aged millennials creating ‘Divorce-tok,’ documenting a social death on social media

A recent trend on social media platforms, known as "divorce-tok," involves middle-aged individuals documenting their divorce experiences online. A prime example is Monette Wagner, a 36-year-old mother of three from Indianapolis. Wagner began sharing real-time videos about her divorce on Instagram, discussing themes such as financial independence, co-parenting, and healing from heartbreak.

She aims to inspire her children and followers by showcasing resilience and hope amidst adversity. The phenomenon of divorce-related content is prevalent across various social media platforms, with TikTok users dubbing it "divorce-tok." The level of detail shared varies, from general reflections to intimate personal stories, and some creators avoid mentioning their ex-partners altogether.

Notable figures like Jen Hamilton, a TikTok influencer with 5 million followers, have shared their divorce experiences, including details about their husband's infidelity. Both women and men are creating and sharing divorce content, but women continue to dominate as creators. These posts foster a sense of community and support among users who share similar experiences.

While honesty in these posts boosts virality, there are risks for those involved in legal proceedings. Legal expert Jackie Combs advises against sharing personal grievances or intimate details online, especially during divorce proceedings.