Is Online Flirting Cheating?
The Internet age has brought us many moral questions that are very difficult for people to answer because they sit on areas where traditionally conceived moral values and relationship norms do not clearly define. The question whether or not online flirting is cheating, is one of them.
Online flirting could be just like any other flirting: any playful, sexual or romantic approach that subtly indicates interest in another person. Traditionally, it involves either body language or verbal communication. Online, it can be through chat, private messages, or video call. Because online flirting does not really involve meeting between parties, many may argue that it is different from actual flirting where two involving parties really meet. But in many people’s standards, this type of online activity is considered disrespectful to the relationship just like flirting in the brick and mortar world.
While perceived harmless, online flirting leaves some room for interpretation that the relationship is not secured and the party involved has the tendency to wander. It is best to abandon this type of deed behind.
Nonetheless, it should be pointed out that such activities may go well to some people as they have all the rights to define what type of relationship they want to carry. Flirting may be considered a fair game when two parties agreed to it and set parameters on the basis of what could work or not. In this changing world, where moral standards and practical norms are being tweaked and interpreted differently, couples have to define what’s right and wrong for them. And although most still follow the generally conceived rules, many decide to steer away and create their own, which is not really a wrong thing to do.
That said, whether or not online flirting is cheating always depends on how the people in the relationship looks at it. But then, there are dangers in online flirting and these can affect even those who say flirting is okay as long as it stays online.
Flirting can grow into more than just harmless sexual overtures. It can grow into an affair. And if the third party lives considerably close, this can grow into an actual physical affair, which can be damaging to the relationship. Online flirting also takes away time and attention from the real relationship that can have adverse effect. What started out as a simple innocent flirtation may develop into a relationship problem, even sex and cybersex addiction.
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