The Role of Social Networking Sites in Cheating

Social networking sites are a blessing for any person who wants to get reconnected to their past or who likes to meet new people online. High school alumni, for example, would like to get in touch with their high school friends or simply know how they are doing. Desperate lovers hope to find the opposite sex of their dreams even among the pages of Myspace and Facebook. Yet these social networking sites are also destroying relationships, both of lovers and of spouses.

The act of spying has become so widespread nowadays that it has even earned strange terms such as Facestalking or MyStalking in the English language. What makes it all the more prevalent is the fact that the act itself is not illegal, convenient, easy, and free. Most of all, it is very hard for anyone to trace somebody who may be spying on you. Almost everyone is guilty of it. Nevertheless, it should be emphasized the in general these social networking sites are not used mainly to snoop on other people’s profiles, particularly of loved ones. They can actually add fuel to the fire, especially to those individuals who have the tendency to turn jealous quickly.

Those who are in rather difficult or young relationships are the most susceptible to the act of spying as well as to its effects. A comment on the page, a racy or sexy photo, an offensive name, or a social status that doesn’t speak of any exclusivity are more than enough reasons for couples to argue and eventually live separate lives.

There are even times when nightmares turn to reality when partners will notice the sudden eccentric behaviors of their husbands or wives. This is usually when acquaintances brought about by social networking sites are continued even after they logged out. Males tend to spend more time being online, especially during late nights when cybersex chat rooms are plenty. They may even carry conversations privately without the knowledge of their partner. The wives, meanwhile, could already be setting various web-based e-mail accounts behind their husband’s backs. There’s a frantic mouse clicking every time there is a slight opening of the door. This is to conceal windows and programs that he or she doesn’t want you to know about.

But can you blame Myspace or Facebook for your partner’s infidelity? Certainly not! It can only be your tool to either confirm or deny your hunch. The real basis of relationship is trust. Once it’s broken, no type of technology can ever bring it back.