What exactly constitutes cheating? Is it just sex, or can other acts of betrayal like romantic dates or light night conversations be viewed as cheating? Legally speaking, Georgia law defines adultery as sexual intercourse with any person other than your spouse. Owens v. Owens, 247 Ga. 139 (1981). Outside of the legal context though, many spouses do not conscribe their view of adultery to sexual infidelity. In fact, emotional infidelity and financial infidelity have long been viewed as forms of betrayal that are almost as egregious as sexual infidelity.
Now that various forms of social media have inundated our society, another form of infidelity has emerged, virtual infidelity. Although social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, Snapchat, and Instagram are wonderful ways to re-connect with old friends, share updates or keep in touch with family, there are some downsides to this level of social connectivity. Unfortunately, social media also makes it extremely easy for adulterous spouses to meet and maintain relationships with paramours. Engaging in sexually explicit conversations, sharing sexually suggestive videos or pictures, or engaging in mutual masturbation are just a few ways that cheating spouses use social media to commit virtual infidelity.
Even though virtual infidelity, like emotional or financial infidelity, often does not involve sexual intercourse, online affairs can be just as hurtful and damaging to a marriage as romantic or sexual affairs. Thus, if you have recently discovered your spouse's virtual infidelity and are considering divorce, contact one of our caring and knowledgeable attorneys. We are here to listen, and we are here to help.