We use our phones for calling, texting, taking pictures, live-tweeting weird conversations overheard at gas stations, etc. We also like to use them to sext and send naughty pictures to people we may or may not be dating.
While sexting is a fun way to get your jollies during the midday lull (or late-night drunken stupor), is it okay to send raunchy texts to other people when you’re already in a relationship? Or is that cheating?
Recently, British law firm Slater and Gordon conducted a survey that revealed a lot of people in the UK don’t think sexting counts as cheating, which is confusing, considering the growing number of couples apparently getting divorced over racy texts sent to third-party individuals.
Of the 2,150 people surveyed, 35 percent said sexting someone who isn’t their partner is totally fine, though about half of the women surveyed said they definitely consider it cheating. So yeah, men are more likely to sext a one-sentence erotic story, or “what are you wearing lol” to other women, and think they did nothing wrong.
“Honey, I would never cheat on you,” said the man to his wife as he sexted a string of eggplant emojis to the lady from the supermarket, because 1 in 10 people think sexting is “just a bit of fun.” And sexting eggplant emojis is fun, and definitely not cheating, depending on who you ask.
The study also found that 62% of participants said they consider sexting pictures less acceptable than texting sexy words, so it’s safe to say it’s less cheating if you describe exactly what your penis looks like in full detail, rather than send a dick pic. It’s still unappealing, but less cheating nonetheless.
“What some might consider a harmless bit of fun – like sending flirty messages or explicit pictures, others consider to be detrimental to their relationship and cause as much hurt and upset as physically cheating. The research is real warning to couples about being careful not to cross that line,” said Rupi Rai, a family solicitor at the law firm, suggesting the findings are all relative.
With that said, only you and your partner know what’s good and tolerable in your relationship, so sext accordingly.