The rise of social media in the age of the the smart phone century has proven to be a hindrance to happy, loving, monogamous relationships.

It’s not rocket science. By the very definition, social media applications are intended to be social platforms, where you meet and cyber mingle in this virtual vacuum with strangers who soon become ‘friends’.

The fact is, a large percentage of the new-age adult (and youngin’– yes, that’s a word), is constantly logged-in, constantly online, multitasking and juggling between the various social media platforms; Twitter, Facebook, Whatsapp, LinkedIN, Viber, WeChat, Mxit, Instagram, Keek, Kleek, Pinterest, the list goes on.

Social media interactions soon forge some kind of kinship, be it a friendship or an “innocent” flirtatious relationship. Terms of endearments are established between users who frequently interact with each other on social media platforms. Bae is the new slang for the cool kid.  The short of it is that bae would suppose a girlfriend or a boyfriend. The accronym is also known to mean “before anyone else.” This is one of many examples of blurring boundaries on social media.

Applications are built with private inbox channels,  such as Direct Messaging facilities (DM’s) on Twitter. Special little corners where you can retreat to when you want to get away from a high traffic, busy timeline. In these little private virtual spaces is where boundaries are often blurred.

So what does your relationship’s demise have to do with any of this?

Well here are some statistics to ponder on.

Victoria Milan is one of the world’s leading discreet social networks for men and women seeking a secret affair. The service was launched by happily married media executive, Mr Sigurd Vedal in 2010, and has today become one of the world’s fastest-growing and leading social networks for discreet extramarital affairs, surpassing four million members worldwide in more than 33 countries.

The contentious network conducted a survey from the 11 050 of its cheating members, and found that:

• 64% reportedly cheat while in the same room as their spouse.
• 89% of people use smartphones or tablets to cheat on their spouse
• 64% will cheat via mobile devices while their spouse is in the same room
• Only 12% are very afraid of getting caught.

The survey results from Victoria Milan revealed that almost 90% of cheaters are using their mobile devices to contact their lovers – yet only 12% are scared of getting caught.

Three-quarters of people did admit they have a slight fear of being found out – and 13% aren’t afraid at all that their digital dalliances might come to light.

Particularly cheeky are the cheaters who are sexting while their partners are home (23%), or even in the same room (64%). Only 13% claim they do not communicate with their lovers while their partner is around.

Founder and CEO of Victoria Milan, Sigurd Vedal, said mobile devices have brought the cheating world to a whole new level.

“We know at Victoria Milan that often affairs remain a digital fantasy – a cheeky online flirt is enough to satisfy people. Moving this from the desktop computer to mobile devices means our members can sext from the office, the car, or as we’ve revealed – from the same room as their partner, and still keep their affair a secret,” Mr Vedal said.

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