The internet, social networking and smartphones are complicating our relationships, making it easier both to cheat and to get caught cheating.
Experts say since devices like smartphones mean many people are now constantly connected to the internet, technology has taken a bigger role in relationship breakdowns. In addition, those with the propensity to cheat are finding it easier to do so.
Clinical psychologist Karen Nimmo said new technologies made the potential for cheating a growing issue for her clients.
“Many people go through others’ phones and check what they have been up to. And there are also all the emotional affairs people conduct. They might not be having sex but they are only a step or two from it.
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“I think people get themselves into texting way deeper than they would if they were face to face.”
It would be unfair to blame technology for infidelity, but it was definitely a facilitator for those so inclined, according to private investigator Kerrie Pihema.
“Now there’s more opportunity, more online dating sites. It is so much easier to have two phones … to rekindle old flames … to be anonymous. Technology creates a new platform, for those who want to cheat, to cheat.”
Victoria University professor of psychology James Liu said people were now using the internet like an additional brain, mouth or set of ears.
“It would certainly allow for more short-term collisions if that was your thing.”
Relationship Services national practice manager Cary Hayward said there was a positive side to social networking, but agreed it also meant there was more of an opportunity to be anonymous.
“Clearly people are using technology more [for] things like connecting with old friends, or using social networking to create new relationships, or using the computer to access sexual imagery.”
Mr Hayward had seen two main groups – the bored 40-to-50-year-olds who were trying to reconnect with childhood sweethearts, and the younger group who didn’t quite realise the power of social networking and the impacts it could have.
The internet was also making it easier for people to meet and progress sexual relationships faster than they would otherwise.
Wellstop general manager Hamish Dixon said people were sending sexual images of themselves to people they had only recently come into contact with.
There were also cases where people would access sexual images online and then pressure their partners to get involved in something they were not comfortable with.
