Can social media destroy your relationship?
Is your partner spending more time scrolling on social media than usual? Maybe this might not sound too alarming at first, but this can be a sign that they are cheating on you. Infidelity is the number one dealbreaker for most couples because it completely shatters any trace of trust.
Nowadays, infidelity is a more complex topic than it used to be, mainly because of social media. The classic way of cheating is something we all know and most of the time we can easily recognize it.
But how about online infidelity? Well, this is a new one, and many people are not prepared and don’t know how to react when it happens. Even more, some stay in broken relationships for years without realizing that their partners are cheating.
So do you want to learn how to recognize if the love of your life is using social media to cheat on you? If your answer is yes, then keep reading!
Covering their tracks
Is your partner acting weird on social media and even going out of their way to hide conversations they are having with other people? When this happens, it’s only natural for questions to pop up.
And now we are not talking about invading the privacy of your partner. Doing that is off-limits, but if you notice that they are hiding their phones when you are around or that they are struggling to answer your question when you ask who they are talking to, well, this is something else, and it might be a red flag.
Most of the time, people behave like this when they are cheating with someone else in a flirty and romantic way. Now, even if you notice your partner acting weird, this is not proof that anything is going on. But this secretive behavior is something that might raise questions.
Openness and honesty are keys to a strong relationship, and you should take your time and communicate with them about this problem.
Oversharing about your relationship with their online friend
All of us need an outlet where we can freely talk about our relationship. Most of the time this person is a close friend, a family member, or even a therapist. Doing this helps us to process thoughts and emotions. But if your partner decides that they want to discuss these details with someone they know from social media, this might be a sign that they are attracted to that person.
Sharing intimate details with someone about the relationship is an action that can actually start to chip away at the bond you share with your partner. This is not just about telling that person what is going on between the two of you but is also something that can create distance and mistrust.
When they decide to turn to emotional support for someone else, it is something that we and the specialists call “dual betrayal.” This means that besides giving away intimate information, they are also building an emotional relationship with the person they are talking to through social media.
Commenting on someone else’s appearance
When your partner is making public comments on social media about the appearance of someone, this can lead to you being hurt and numerous misunderstandings. Throwing little comments on somebody else’s posts may seem like a big deal, but in reality, they are a sign your partner is betraying you.
This is a behavior that happens more than once, and when you are in a relationship, this is a huge deal breaker. If someone is single and they are giving comments like “You are so pretty!” to other people, this is not seen as a big deal, but in a relationship, this is a signal that something is not right.
Public comments draw attention, and in a relationship, this attention can create trust issues. And you know exactly what we are saying. Noticing that your partner leaves such comments on different posts can even make you feel embarrassed and uncomfortable.
Social media has made it easier than ever to blur boundaries, but you should discuss this with your partner and tell them it makes you feel suspicious and uncomfortable if this is the case.
Using or downloading dating apps
How would you feel if you saw that your partner had downloaded a dating app? Most probably cheated on, right? When it comes to boundaries about dating apps, they are more clear compared to other social media-related boundaries. Is there any reason for someone in a committed relationship to have dating apps on their phone? The answer to this is no!
Using dating apps while in a relationship without prior agreement is a form of infidelity. And this is not just about physical cheating but also about the intention and perception it creates. If they are downloading a dating app, you may understand that they are done with you and searching for somebody else. You are no longer important to them.
These are not feelings that are normal in a healthy relationship, and as a result, over time, if nothing changes, your relationship will probably end.
Messaging with an ex
Messaging with an ex may be difficult in a relationship, especially if you and your partner are honest about who you remain in touch with. Depending on your relationship, it might be perfectly acceptable for them to talk with their ex, even more, if the conversations are friendly and transparent.
But if the conversations seem to get a little bit too flirty, your partner is taking the situation and leading it to a gray area when you are no longer sure if they are betraying you or not. When they run to their ex for emotional validation and support after talking to you about these things, it’s for sure a sign that something is wrong.
Also, if they are reconnecting with their ex on social media without you knowing about it, it’s even worse. They are probably trying to hide it from you, and this might make you think that they are really cheating. Maybe this is not the case, but when they are so secretive about what they are doing with their ex, it makes you wonder.
Social media is a great tool that entertains us and makes our lives easier, but as you can see, it also brings a whole new set of problems. Relationships are not the same, and taking the wrong steps can destroy trust.
You can’t control what your loved one is doing on social media and how they are using it, but if you notice any of the habits we’ve presented, it might be a signal that it is time to have a discussion.
It is acceptable to discuss whether actions feel appropriate or not, as long as the talk is respectful and honest. When you understand each other’s points of view, it is simpler to set limits that encourage trust and appreciation in your relationship.
If you want to learn more about cheating, this book might help you: Cheating in a Nutshell: What Infidelity Does to The Victim (Asked, Answered and Explained)
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