We’ve all done it. And by “it” I mean we’ve all fallen into the trap of flirting with people via the internet. And for those of us with a significant other sitting next to us on the couch munching on Cheetos and flipping through every sports channel there is, online flirting can become a bit of a problem if you take it from innocent to something more.
It can happen to everyone. Whether you’re just replying to a silly comment on Facebook and adding that little wink emoji, or if you’re actually in the online dating community *Tinder?* just for the fun of it, online flirting can cause many problems in your real relationship.
One little comment taken too far can be the end of something real. Who would want that? I know I didn’t when a simple wink face turned into a full-blown argument and eventually the demise of one of my relationships… yikes!
# You are continuously flirting with the same personWhen you’re flirting with the same person day in and day out when you’re already in a committed relationship, then I would say it’s a form of cheating. You shouldn’t be flirting with the same person over and over again if you’re happily hooked to someone already. It may not be the worst form of cheating, but it definitely should be considered as one.
# You feel the need to hide it from your significant other.Nothing spells out “cheating” more than feeling guilty for interacting with someone. Now don’t get me wrong, you can occasionally get away with sending a flirty comment here and there, but if it gets to the point that you’re stuffing your phone in your pocket the second your partner gets in the room, then you’ve got a problem.
Not to mention if you’re lying about it as well! When your partner asks who you’re talking to and you lock your phone and say, “Oh, umm… just no one? Er – I mean my sister,” then you’re cheating on them whether you want to accept it or not.
# When you would rather communicate this way with other people than you would your loverIf you’re flirting more with other people specifically the same person frequently and you would rather do that than actually flirt with your own partner, then it’s cheating.
# If you develop feelings for the people you flirt with
Or rather, just a person you’re flirting with. When innocent flirting turns into real feelings for them, you are cheating on your current partner. You are not being fully faithful and committed to them in the way you should be.
# If the flirting leads to a loss of feelings for your partnerYou may say, “So what? I’ve never even met them. It’s just online.” But if you’re losing feelings for your current special someone because of all of the flirting you’re doing online, you’re inadvertently cheating on them!
# If your flirting leads to meetings *or the discussion of meeting in person*This is really obvious cheating. If you’re flirting and chatting enough with someone else to warrant an actual meeting, then you’re cheating. Especially if your significant other is unaware of what’s going on. You don’t have to be getting intimate with that other person for it to be considered unfaithful.
Cue the guilt and lies, you cheater! *Disclaimer: you can be friends with people and spend time with them just fine. But when flirting is the #1 way you communicate with them, then there’s more than just friendliness going on.*