It may seem harmless, but cheating on the Internet is just as serious as cheating in the flesh. People say it is harmless because they feel that there are no victims when married partners engage in virtual sex while chatting with others online.
Psychologist Kimberly Young, author of Tangled in the Web, says "I've discovered that people were getting hooked on the Internet the way people are addicted to drugs or alcohol," says Dr. Young. "There are many stories of Internet infidelity that I've come across, and every couple's definition of cheating is different; some people believe that chatting on the Internet isn't cheating until they are at the point when they cross that boundary and they are going to meet the person."
How do you know when someone in you life is cheating on the Internet?
Young says, "A major sign that the online relationship is getting out of control is when the spouse is spending so much time around the computer that he doesn't go out with the spouse any more."
According to relationship experts, these are the common signs of an Internet affair:
* They are spending a huge amount of time on the Internet, especially time that used to be spent with you.
* They abruptly stop typing or turn off the computer in your presence.
* They do not like to check their e-mail in front of you, or if they keep multiple e-mail accounts.
* They have several unexpected meetings with people you don't know.
* Your mate regularly visits dating sites on the Internet.
* There are unusual credit card charges from unknown Internet merchants.
Alibi merchants have sprung up all over the internet. These companies supply realistic alibis--complete with supporting documentation--for straying spouses. A number of Internet companies sell computer software programs that promise to erase every site you visit, every file you open, and every person you've ever e-mailed for good. Which also means that reading your lover's old e-mails, or monitoring their online chats and downloading activity may be a thing of the past.
Comments
All these things happened to me, except that my ex was also visiting porn sites and charging it to my charge card. That was so stupid. Did he think I wouldn't find out?
I don't see how people can say flirting on the internet isn't cheating. I'm beginning to hate the internet chat rooms for that. I was having what I thought was a nice relationship with a guy--and he ended up being married, and a woman. That is why he/she never wanted to meet me anywhere. The windup was she decided to stay with her husband after he found all her stuff on the computer.
I'd rather meet a woman in person than go on the net to find one. Newark has a lot of fly ladies that I can look at instead of wondering whether she looks like Beyonce or Madea.
Virtual infidelity? What's the fun in that?
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