Prevent Digital Infidelity From Ruining Your Relationship
Transparency seems to be one of today’s popular buzzwords, especially in politics and big business. Since the Enron scandal and Scooter Libby investigations, the government and large corporations are under scrutiny by the public, forcing them to become accountable for their actions. The same holds true for personal relationships. With the popularity of social media and the technological advances in cell phones, iPads, computers and even video games, technological infidelity has become a relationship problem that was never seen in the past.
Successful relationships involve being open and honest with each other, especially when using cell phones and social media. It is so easy today to get in touch with old friends and rekindle relationships that were over long ago. An email or a cell phone text to an old girlfriend or boyfriend may seem harmless but as time goes on, these messages can become intimate forms of communication. Many people think that because they are not actually meeting the person, it’s okay to say whatever they want without their current partner or spouse knowing anything about it.
Accountability
All relationships require accountability and transparency in order to really respect and trust each other. Who you text or email should be open information, not a secret communication. Your spouse or partner should be aware of whom you communicate with and what kind of a relationship you have with the person you are texting or who you are emailing on Facebook.
Think about your relationship and ask yourself a few questions. Do not be afraid to ask your significant other who he or she is chatting with, texting or talking to on social networks. Everyone in a relationship needs to be socially responsible and open with information to prevent cheating through technology.
Questions to Ask Yourself
- Do I know who my partner is contacting through Facebook?
- Do I know whom all those texts are from?
- Do I know why my partner closes the door while on the computer?
- Why does my partner go outside to take a cell phone call?
- Why does my partner stay on the computer every night for hours?
- Who are my partner’s facebook friends?
- Why is my partner spending more time texting, than with me?
- Is your partner willing to tell you who all the calls or social media posts are from?
If you do not have open, honest answers to these questions, then it’s time to ask your spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend for some transparency. You need to trust that your partner isn’t doing anything that would hurt you or your relationship but it is also important to be aware that digital infidelity isn’t going away. Do not expect your relationship to work if you live by Thomas Gray’s proverb, “Ignorance is bliss, ‘tis folly to be wise.” Openness and honesty are essential for successful relationships.
