It can be difficult to determine if someone was innocently flirting or text message cheating when you catch them communicating electronically red handed. It all comes down to meaning, boundaries and intent. With the digital age of dating still somewhat new, many couples do not bother to discuss their expectations when it comes to social media, texting or other forms of messaging. You may know in your heart if what you’re doing is right or wrong and you’ll either choose to hide it or do it openly, often either raising more suspicion or helping to avoid it altogether. The most important thing to appreciate is that emotional cheating can just as harmful as physical cheating because without trust, you have absolutely nothing.
The biggest challenge to communicating by text is that you can’t hear someone’s voice, see their facial expressions, or interpret their body language. Messages can be misconstrued and misinterpreted in a variety of ways that are often misleading. Because of this, emotional affairs can sometimes occur unintentionally. Here are some signs that you are emotionally cheating:
Steve Ward, one of the dating industry’s most respected matchmakers, is here to tell CraveOnline about the ins and outs for success in a digital dating world. Known best as the host and executive producer of VH1′s Tough Love, this fall Steve is launching Love Lab® (http://lovelab.com), an app that double (and triple) checks your online and mobile matches to make sure they’re legit.
Text Message Cheating
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Delete!
You delete entire conversations or individual messages. If you even think your partner would object, it’s already over the line.
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Snapchat
You send or receive pictures or videos of any kind. There would be no reason for you to go to the extent of sharing moments from your life privately with anyone of the opposite sex that you aren’t related to without the expressed consent of your boyfriend-girlfriend, husband-wife or significant other.
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Do unto others
You would feel cheated on if they were having private dialogue in the same context you are. If you honestly wouldn’t care but you know they would, you’re probably on your way to breaking up already.
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Sneaky
You conceal the dialogue from people other than your significant other. If you would be embarrassed to be caught by family, friends, colleagues or coworkers chatting with that person, you just shouldn’t be doing it.
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Angry bird
You know he or she would be displeased if they knew you were communicating with someone they didn’t know.
