What is ‘micro-cheating’? How liking old Facebook photos and suggestive emojis could threaten to ruin relationships
These subtle social media flirting techniques are actually cheeky ways of getting someone else's attention
SOMETIMES it doesn't take bedroom action to be unfaithful, there can be much more subtle, but very inappropriate ways to signal that you are available to the opposite sex.
These "micro-cheating" techniques can be very dangerous to a relationship... here's what to look out for.
What is micro-cheating?
Micro-cheating is when someone is engaging in activities that give the impression they're still single despite being in a relationship.
These subtle actions would never be as big as actively dating another person or engaging in sexual activity with them.
That would be macro-cheating, or just cheating as it's more commonly known.
Examples of micro-cheating could be saving someone under a fake name in your phone or telling someone you're single when you're not.
What are the different types of micro-cheating?
There are plenty of different ways to micro-cheat on your partner.
One of the prime examples is by going through someone's social media profile and liking old pictures of them - known as a "deep like".
Another is searching for and "social media stalking" someone you've had a fling with or just generally find attractive.
Watch out for your emoji use too, heart eyes and winky faces are generally agreed to be flirty, while an aubergine is a blatant request for sexy time!
Hanging on to your dating apps is also a no-no for those in committed relationships - a sure fire signal you're holding out for something new.
How can you spot if your partner is micro-cheating?
If it feels like your partner is hiding something that may be a good place to start.
Dating expert Melanie Schilling told HuffPost Australia: "Secrecy is the tell-tale sign. Micro-cheating is a subtle betrayal and it needs secrecy to fuel its fire.
"If your partner is having private conversations or online chats that he/she quickly shuts down when you enter the room.
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"Or if they are reaching out to an ex to mark an anniversary or other significant shared, intimate event.
"Or perhaps they are offering compliments to other guys/girls that they don't say to you.
"Or maybe they meet up with someone of the opposite sex under the guise of a business meeting, when you discover no business was actually done... these are all signs to look out for."