Like an ex's post? Sliding into DMs? Experts on 'micro-cheating' and what counts as infidelity

• Micro-cheating is a relatively new term that originated on social media.

• It defines innocuous behaviour that may count as infidelity.

• Experts advise open communication to set boundaries and combat this phenomenon.

A Fox26 insert on the Isiah Factor Uncensored show looked at the phenomenon of micro-cheating.

The show traced the term's origins back to TikTok and defined micro-cheating as "being sneaky on social media outside of your relationship."

Liking a post by an ex or sliding into someone's DMs are just some behaviours that count as micro-cheating.

Karen De Amat, CEO of Social Behaviour, said that the new terminology gives a formal title to behaviour that emerged with the introduction of social media.

Social commentator Isaiah Chance said that this sneaky behaviour is a real problem, especially when it goes against the boundaries of a relationship.

He also believes that it can lead to physical cheating.

In an article on Parade, psychotherapist and sex and couple's therapist Dr Lee Phillips defined the term as "inappropriate behaviour that occurs in a committed monogamous relationship that is not as intense or as big as infidelity."

The article further explained that micro-cheating doesn't have an official, straightforward definition, and this makes it challenging to spot. 

The vague nature of the term and the difficulty in giving a name to its behaviour can even exacerbate relationship conflict. 

There are ways to spot this behaviour, though, as defined by Parade.

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The experts couldn't agree on whether or not people viewed these behaviours as cheating. They chalked it up to a difference in perspectives from the people engaging in the behaviour.

"You have to have the boundaries defined. There are a lot of factors here. If you're entertaining it, entertaining an ex or someone of the opposite sex, whether they just sent you a fire emoji or you're corresponding with them back and forth, why are you needing the validation from this person on social media? What about your relationship that should be the priority?" Said De Amat.

De Amat said that cheating goes against her values, and she, therefore, doesn't do things that she wouldn't want to be done to her.

The experts concluded their chat by cautioning couples against monitoring each other's online behaviour to pick a fight and instead advocated for an open conversation to define healthy boundaries.

Sources: Parade