What Social Media Says - Even When You’re Not Supposed to Be Talking

As investigative reporters, we’re trained to observe the details others miss. As social media investigators, we know that silence doesn't always mean inactivity, especially when it comes to jurors. 

At Social Slooth, we offer ongoing monitoring of empaneled jurors, litigants, witnesses, and other critical figures during a case. Why? Because courtroom rules don’t always translate into digital compliance. 

In a recent monitoring assignment, we were asked to keep an eye on a seated juror who had been explicitly instructed to avoid social media for the duration of the trial. Many would assume that meant silence across platforms. But our monitoring revealed near-daily activity, not on the obvious Facebook or X, but on Pinterest. 

What started with innocent recipe pins, like slow cooker dinners, comfort food, and easy weeknight meals, soon turned to cocktail recipes and alcohol-themed content. While nothing was overtly case-related, the shift was telling. In a platform often dismissed as casual, this juror’s digital behavior offered a subtle lens into her emotional state and evolving mindset. 

What does this tell us? 

• Compliance isn’t binary. A juror might believe they’re following the letter of the court’s instructions by avoiding direct posts or mentions—but their broader activity can still reveal personal context. 
  

• Platform choice matters. Pinterest, often overlooked in investigations, can act as a psychological outlet. What someone saves, searches, or engages with often reflects mood, mindset, and coping mechanisms. 
  

• Behavioral shifts are signals. When content trends shift, especially during high-stress proceedings, it may suggest fatigue, stress, or disengagement. 

This is the kind of nuance that real-time monitoring delivers. It’s not about catching wrongdoing; it’s about providing attorneys and litigation teams with contextual intelligence that may support voir dire challenges, mid-trial concerns, or post-verdict analysis. At Social Slooth, we monitor more than what’s said—we track what’s expressed between the lines. 

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💬 How are you staying ahead of juror behavior during trial? Whether you’ve used social media monitoring or are exploring it for the first time, we’d love to hear how your team approaches digital insights in real time.

📲 Want to learn more about how digital patterns reveal what courtroom answers often miss? Follow Social Slooth and Heather Hernadi on LinkedIn, or get in touch to learn how our human-led, AI-enhanced investigations support smarter decisions in high-stakes litigation.