Online Relationships: Is it cheating?

Some say that intimate encounters online qualifies as cheating, some say it is nothing more than a harmless flirtation.

The web is a wonderful place to meet people and have dialog with others, many people have met their true love on the web. The web has it's dangers though and as with most things can be a double edged sword.

For those already in a real world relationship, there is a hidden danger there. The web can be suttle and seductive. The flirtations can produce an addictive ego boost, a casual pastime can become an obcession and an online friend can become a secret lover.

Whenever you are involved in another relationship of any kind in which you share affections, you are taking that affection away from your partner, "cheating" them out of love, affection and attention that should be theirs. Often such relationships mark the beginnings of severe real world problems as the one being cheated on begins to feel resentment and then anger. Love begins to turn to hate and if not addressed and correced the result can be disasterous. Remember that while it may be fun to flirt and be flattered and the ego boost feels great, often it is attained at the expense of your partner. A web relationship may be fantasy but the consequences are often very real.