Share

Is it insensitive to your new partner to keep the photos you have with your ex on social media?

accreditation
Credit: Getty Images
Credit: Getty Images

To delete or not to delete?

If you still have photos of you and your ex on social media and haven't given it any thought to remove them, it's no big deal. After all, they're part of your past that arguably shaped you into the person you are today, blah, blah blah.

And often whether the photos are still there or were removed has a lot to do with whether the break-up was amicable, right?

Although for some people, once a break-up happens it's literally the first thing they do.

Take Selena Gomez and The Weeknd, for instance. We were holdings thumbs and thought their relationship had long-term potential, but after just ten months of dating things fell apart and they both started deleting posts of the two of them faster than me untagging myself from an ugly photo.

And then others will delete the photos or posts only when Facebook randomly decides to show them as memories on their timelines.

READ MORE: Why you shouldn't share these 6 things about your relationship with others

However, when it comes to your partner, maybe they fear the fact that you haven't taken the time to remove them means you're still reminiscing about your distant past or, worse, you still have feelings for your ex. 

Or is the bottom-line that they're insecure and raises a little red flag? Or, just maybe, their request is totally warranted.

Yes, they were once a part of your life journey so maybe you feel it's not okay that they totally 'disappear'. Those are your memories and you have a right to them.

There's really no big deal about that and it shouldn't be an issue, says Louis Venter, intensive relationship specialist and founder of Couple's Help.

... it could do no harm in deleting it for the sake of their sanity and sense of belonging.

"We meet each other at a certain time in our lives and embrace everything about each other, including our past experiences.

"I therefore think it is very unreasonable for one partner to want to 'erase' their partner's past," adds Venter.

However, Venter also goes on to say that there can come a time when it is probably best to consider your partner's request or discomfort.

"I know some partners struggle with trust issues and fear. If a partner does request that images should be removed, I believe it could do no harm in deleting it for the sake of their sanity and sense of belonging.

"If I love someone, I would make their journey with me as smooth as possible, even if it means deleting images of my ex partner. After all, it's an ex and shouldn't be a problem," he adds.

Is it something worth arguing about? Certainly not, explains Venter.

"Something like this shouldn't end a relationship before it even started. Communicate your needs and feelings with each other. It becomes a problem when it is unconsiously one person feeling controlled and the other not important enough.

"Step out of blaming and shaming and communicate your thoughts, needs and longings in love and kindness."

READ MORE: 5 reasons why the "honeymoon phase" is actually the worst

We asked readers to share their thoughts, and, interestingly, many had contrasting opinions on the subject.

You shouldn't have to delete photos because that was once a part of your life that you cannot erase. However, I personally delete the photos from my past relationship as they pop up on my memories – but that's my personal preference. It's only insensitive if they're super recent or you still interact with the pictures by sharing them, for example. It'd take me days to get rid of all my photos with my exes; I've had Facebook since 2012.
Anonymous


I'm divorced so it gets a little tricky as I have kids with social media accounts. I have family photos and couple photos, and then photos of him and the kids on Facebook. It was a part of my life that happened and I loved it. And the parts I didn't love are still a testament to strength and perseverance. He is happily remarried and I am in a relationship. I have no emotional attachment to my ex, but my children can look at these photos as a reminder of when we were a unit and we loved each other and them. I feel it's healthy to not want to erase the past. It is what it is and cannot be undone. Having pictures neither adds nor takes away from the timeline that is your life.
Fazlin Hendricks


Photos are memories that shapes us. I never post my 'treasured' photos on social media so I never have to worry about it. I keep them on my computer so it’s not in anyone’s face. So to answer, it is insensitive to put it on display. Would you print it and put it up on your wall at home for current partner, visitors family and friends to see? I’m guessing not.
Anonymous


No, it's not insensitive at all if you haven't deleted the photos. If your new partner has a problem with it, well then, they must deal with it. Everyone has a past and had previous partners. That is reality.
Tracy McWilliams


I usually set all photos of my ex and I together to only be visible to myself and most photos of just him I would delete. But I might keep a group photo on there if it was an awesome occasion with friends. I think no one wants to look at old photos of your partner together with their ex.
Anonymous


To be honest, I delete mine when they pop up as memories. I am not going to sift through hundreds of pics to delete them, but I have no reason to keep pics of my ex and I. If it is a photo of me at a place where we went together, like a road trip, I keep those, but if he is in the photo, I delete. I don't really need reminders of a toxic relationship.
Emily Walker


We guess it comes down to this bottom line: when you see those photos, a dark cloud of misery might not come over you, but it would be kind to be considerate towards your S/O.

If your relationship means anything to you, ask yourself: is it really worth it to put up a fight about it?

Do you think it's insensitive if your partner doesn't remove photos of their ex on social media? Let us know here.

WATCH: Why you should delete pictures of your exes

Sign up to W24’s newsletters so you don't miss out on any of our hot stories and giveaways.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE