In recent years, co-parenting and visitation apps have become increasingly popular as a tool for divorced or separated parents to communicate about issues related to their children. Parents may choose to use such an app voluntarily, or in some cases, courts may order parents to communicate with each other through an app about custody-related matters. This is especially common in situations where abuse has been perpetrated or has occurred within the relationship. Some of these apps have features that allow courts to monitor all communications, which helps provide documentation of compliance with court orders. It’s important to consider the implications for safety, privacy, and confidentiality when using these types of communication apps.

This document is split into two sections: information for those using the apps and information for those assigning or interfacing with them in a professional capacity. While these apps may provide a platform for individuals (the parties to the case) to communicate, and for court personnel such as judges, legal professionals working with survivors, and supervised visitation providers to monitor, it is vital that all audiences are aware of how these apps function and the potential risks they may pose to the users/survivors…READ MORE