'Micro-cheating' is the worrying dating trend you need to know all about

 Displeased woman watching her boyfriend flirting with another girl [Photo: Shutterstock]

As they say, the path to true love never did run smooth and in 2019 it seems it's getting increasingly harder and harder for people to navigate the dating scene. With catfishing, bad Tinder meet-ups and plenty of 'f*** boys' out there, it's easy to see why the whole thing can be pretty offputting.

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And if all that wasn't bad enough, there's also a worrying new dating trend you need to know about. As well as actually cheating on you, your partner can now also micro-cheat on you, according to the experts over at eharmony.

The dating website defines 'micro-cheating' as "a term which encompasses smaller, albeit questionable acts" from a partner, such as liking the social media posts of someone else you're attracted to or sliding into their DMs. Unsurprisingly, according to eharmony's research, it's tech-savvy millennials that feel most strongly about their partner doing these things.

Dating expert Rachael Lloyd explained how micro-cheating can really damage a relationship. She said: "Advances in technology and the multitude of available platforms means that people often feel there is endless choice. This choice can sometimes lead people to make toxic decisions. "It might start with a bit of flirting online, and build towards full-blown emotional affairs in the digital environment. The fallout from these situations can be as devastating as a physical affair." 

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She added: "A couple of Instagram likes here and there might not seem so bad, however, you need to consider the intent behind them. It's also a good idea to set clear boundaries as soon as possible in a new relationship, so your partner is not surprised when you challenge them on apparent 'infidelity' when they think they are simply being friendly. The modern dating world can be a minefield, but clear communication can really help."

If you're still feeling confused, another relationship expert, recently revealed a simple way to tell whether you're dating someone likely to cheat. Sydney based love guru, Dr Lurve opened up about the topic in an interview with sporteluxe.com revealing that people are more likely to cheat if they possess three specific personality traits.

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She said: "People are more likely to cheat if their personality is less empathetic, they are disinterested or passive in most circumstances, and tend to put their own needs before others. On the other hand, someone who is very religious, conservative or holds high moral standards is less likely to cheat due to their concrete belief system."