The history of relationships since the beginning of time in literature and beyond shows how the act of infidelity involved writing secret letters, quiet phone calls, and chance rendezvous.
Today, however, the rules of love and betrayal have changed; the act of infidelity has made it to the digital age. With the festive season around the corner and the possibility of emotions running high and social connections are young, insights from a new survey by dating app Gleeden delves into understanding the role of technology as a messenger of affairs today.
According to the survey with IPSOS, 69 per cent of individuals across India stated that when it comes to connecting, flirting, and experimenting outside their primary relationships, social media allows for some level of cheating. Surprisingly, this is true across the board when looking at both metro and smaller individuals agreeing 70 per cent in Tier-1 cities and 67 per cent in Tier-2 cities that technology amplifies temptation. The highest affirmation came from cities such as Patna (76 per cent), Ahmedabad (76 per cent), and Delhi (75 per cent). Today the digital world has weakened the hold of culturally conservative norms about what is acceptable.
When festivities fuel flirtations
The festive season has family gatherings, social gatherings among friends and an almost child-like excitement about reestablishing connection. However, when we throw in swipe dating, Instagram stories, and nightly DMs the line becomes blurry and even easier to cross. Casual compliments on someone`s festive selfie can easily turn into emotional and even the physical act of cheating.
“Festivities unite individuals, both online and offline. With increased activity on social media and the magic of new beginnings, people often find themselves exploring connections that cross emotional boundaries. Technology allows us to carry on conversations we never would have had without technology. It’s not always about the intention and sometimes it’s just about access and opportunity,” says Sybil Shiddell, country manager of the application.
The ‘DM’ effect
Infidelity isn’t about hotel rooms or secret calls anymore; it’s about intimacy online. Between liking an ex’s post, and a DM thread that innocently starts off as a conversation then turns intimate, digital simplicity is right there in front of you. While 28 per cent of people still feel like cheating is based on the person, as opposed to the platform, and 4 per cent still don`t know, the majority of people agree that social media lowers the threshold associated with infidelity. During the festive weeks, when celebration intersects with curiosity, these lines become even finer. In fact, 63 per cent keep their social media interactions secret from their partner, just to be on the safe side and avoid unnecessary conflict.
Love in the time of likes
As the lights become more festive, the temptation of online validation comes also. Likes, comments, and compliments can at times fill the emotional voids that partners do not offer. And while flirting in a digital capacity may not feel harmful in practice, the survey indicates that 41 per cent of responders consider this kind of behaviour a full form of infidelity. So, even if technology may not create infidelity – it does, though, reveal how easily curiosity can slip into connection when the opportunity is only a click away.
