In the realm of dating, it is widely recognized that cheating is unacceptable – but what if you were unaware that your actions constituted cheating?
Cheating traditionally involves engaging in a relationship, whether fleeting or prolonged, while being in a committed and exclusive partnership with another person.
However, with the advent of the digital age, the concept of cheating has become more complex. Activities that are now prevalent, such as subscribing to platforms like OnlyFans, can potentially be perceived as cheating.
New insights from News.com.au reveal that an increasing number of individuals consider subscribing to explicit online content as crossing the line in a relationship.
A survey involving 54,000 participants indicated that about half of them believe subscribing to adult content online constitutes definite cheating.
Nevertheless, an expert cautions that the situation is not as clear-cut and is contingent upon the nature of the individual relationship.
Lucy Banks, content creator and founder of Million Billion Media talent agency, stated: “Society and relationships have evolved… the level of transparency, emotional intelligence, and communication required to maintain a healthy relationship is now much higher.
“Is it cheating if your partner subscribes to someone on OFs? It really depends on the relationship.”
A major issue often arises from whether the person in the relationship is open about their subscription.
If the subscription is kept secret or if there is deception involved, the problem lies more in the dishonesty rather than the subscription itself, as it can feel like a betrayal.
Conversely, for some, being honest and transparent about such subscriptions can suffice for their partner to accept the situation, as it reflects a deeper level of trust and honesty.
The survey also found that whether subscribing is considered ‘cheating’ can depend on the type of relationship one has with the creator of adult content, and must consider the dynamics of their current relationship and personal values.
Interestingly, gender differences significantly influence perceptions of cheating, with women more likely to view online adult content consumption as cheating compared to men.
Around 61.3 percent of women surveyed believe it’s definitely cheating, whereas 46.1 percent of men felt it depended on the nature of the interaction.