According to Everyday Health, online cheating is a combination of sexual and emotional infidelity. The same article says that people participate in online cheating are natural risk-takers, feel entitled to cheat and believe that they can keep their virtual relationship a secret. Online exchanges may start innocently with casual flirting but they can evolve quickly into offline meetings that have strong, emotional undertones. If you work or play online, you know the boundaries of online cheating may not be too clear.
Cheating occurs when you turn to someone, other than your spouse or boyfriend for simple things like affirmation or serious things like sexual contact. It's cheating if you feel guilty, if you want to keep your friendship a secret or if it seems wrong. If you wouldn't say it or do it front of your spouse, you shouldn't say it or do it!
If you suspect your sweetheart may be stepping out on you, look for these signs of online cheating:
- He won't share his social networking password with you. In today's modern world, true love isn't just defined by the exchanging of rings but of passwords. By giving one another your passwords, you prove your fidelity and take away any excuse you may for cheating later. It's not as tempting to cheat if you know you could get caught.
- Your guy becomes a secret agent. He'll only take calls, check emails or visit Facebook when you're not around. In the words of Bill Engvall, "Here's your sign!"
- You discover he has a second social networking account. And you didn't have any idea. That could indicate he's cheating, at least online.
- He'd rather be on the computer than spending time with you.
- He has extreme moods. Some men become angry or even extremely happy when they cheat. Guilt is usually the motivator for this behavior.
If you feel tempted to "get to know" an online friend a little better, take a step back until you've ended your current relationship. Cheating wears away your personal integrity and takes an emotional toll on everyone, including the cheater. Unhook from the computer, turn off the cell phone and step away from Facebook regularly to stay focused. That's not just good relationship advice -- it's good for you too.
