Discovering that your romantic partner is cheating can be emotionally devastating. Catching a cheating partner may seem next to impossible when it comes to online infidelity. After all, the internet provides endless ways for someone to sneak behind you.
If you have a suspicion that your spouse is cheating online, this guide will walk you through signs of online cheating to look for. We’ll also cover different techniques you can use to find evidence and catch a cheating partner red-handed if your suspicion is correct.
What is Considered Cheating Online?
Certain online behaviors can be considered cheating even if no physical contact occurs. Emotional affairs, sexting, using dating sites, and viewing pornography could all qualify as online infidelity if it’s being hidden from another spouse. Under Minnesota law, these virtual acts are still grounds for divorce.
Some examples of cheating online in Minnesota include:
- Emotional affairs – Sharing intimate details about your life, venting about your marriage, and confiding in someone of the opposite sex can cross the line into an emotional affair. This is especially true if your partner deletes messages or hides the relationship from you.
- Sexting – Sexually explicit text, photo, or video exchanges would be considered cheating. Your partner should not be sending nudes or “sexts” to anyone but you while in a committed relationship.
- Using dating apps – Creating profiles on Tinder, Bumble, Grindr, etc. indicates your spouse is looking to connect with other people. Even if they never meet up in person, this breaks the vow of fidelity.
- Visiting explicit websites – Habitually viewing pornography or sex cam sites is a form of cheating since it involves interacting intimately with strangers online.
- Hiding online communications – If your partner guards their phone, deletes texts, or has secret email accounts, it suggests they are hiding inappropriate conversations and activity.
While an isolated incident may be forgiven, a pattern of deception regarding online activity often signals cheating is occurring in the relationship.
How to find out your partner is cheating online? – Here’s what you can do!
You may want concrete evidence before confronting your partner if you spot multiple signs of online cheating in your relationship. Here are some techniques you can use to catch a cheating partner digitally if you believe online infidelity may be taking place:
1. Check Dating Sites and Apps
Searching dating sites and hookup apps to see if your partner has an active profile or presence is one of the most obvious places to start. Sites like Tinder, Bumble, OkCupid, Match, and Ashley Madison cater to different demographics and relationship statuses, but all promote connecting with new people.
You can search these sites by name, email address, and even photo to see if your partner’s information pops up in any member profiles or activity. Don’t forget to also check niche and location-based hookup apps that facilitate convenient casual encounters. Finding a current dating profile is a clear sign that your significant other may be looking outside your relationship.
2. Look For Suspicious Social Media Accounts Activity
Increased or unusual activity on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, WhatsApp, and others may also be a red flag of infidelity. Look for things like:
- Increased chatting or direct messaging with unfamiliar people
- Flirtatious comments and liking suggestive photos
- New friends or social media contacts you don’t know
- Secret second or fake profiles to connect with others
Spending an increasing amount of time on social apps and networks, especially late at night or during work hours, could indicate your partner is engaged in intimate conversations and potentially even cybersex.
3. Keep an Eye on Mobile Devices
Smartphones and tablets provide easy access to dating sites, messaging apps, social media platforms, and more. Look for any evidence of secret accounts, unusual apps you don’t recognize, messaging/photo sharing apps like Snapchat, or suspicious web browsing activity.
Your partner may also be intentionally deleting messages, browsing history, photos, or apps to try to cover their tracks. This is a telltale sign they are hiding something from you. Any attempts to keep their mobile devices guarded or blocked from your view are major red flags of potential cheating.
4. Review Browsing History
Most web browsers store browsing history, which can reveal a lot about online activity and interests. Look for suggestive or explicit sites, dating site visits, and Google searches related to finding new partners, cheating, or pursuing secret relationships.
Your partner may also be using incognito or private browsing modes to avoid leaving evidence in standard web histories intentionally. However, this internet activity still leaves digital footprints.
5. Watch for Changes in Behavior
Signs of a potential online affair may also show up in your partner’s routine behaviors and interactions with you. Sudden increased secrecy, frequent distraction by their devices, not letting you touch their phone or computer, and distancing themselves emotionally or physically from you can all stem from virtual cheating and unfaithfulness.
Your partner may also start grooming more diligently, wearing sexier clothes, working out more often, and showing less interest in being intimate with you. These could reflect efforts to appear more attractive to someone new they are connecting with online.
6. They Become Protective of Devices
Increased protectiveness and even aggressive defensiveness around their phone, computer, or tablet may arise from your partner hiding online interactions. If they start locking devices more vigilantly, changing passwords to ones you don’t know, or refusing to let you even casually glance at their activity, it likely means they have something to conceal.
This secretive behavior often includes taking devices into other rooms or the bathroom for extended periods to privately chat, browse sites, or engage in cybersex. Any drastic change in your access to your partner’s technology should set off alarm bells.
What Steps Should You Take If You Find Evidence of Online Cheating?
Discovering a partner’s online affair can be shocking and painful. Once you have proof that they’re cheating, recommended steps include:
- Documenting the evidence – Take screenshots, photos, copies of conversations, and record dates/times. This creates a record you can refer back to later.
- Consulting with a Minnesota family law attorney – An experienced lawyer can advise you on the next legal steps regarding separation or divorce. They can also ensure you do not violate any state or federal laws while gathering evidence.
- Confronting your partner calmly – Set aside time for an open and honest conversation about what you discovered. Avoid angry outbursts and allow them to explain.
- Getting tested for STDs – Even if the affair stays online, it’s wise to verify your sexual health for peace of mind.
- Seeking couples counseling – If you hope to salvage the relationship, counseling helps process betrayal trauma and rebuild broken trust.
- Leaving temporarily – Sometimes, space provides clarity on whether to reconcile or split. Stay with a friend or family member if needed.
- Filing for divorce – If this is a pattern or the affairs involve physical intimacy, you may wish to file for divorce and end the marriage.
How you choose to react will depend on the nature of the cheating and your personal situation. But focusing on self-care and talking to a lawyer can help guide you.
There Is Hope After Betrayal With the Right Legal Help By Your Side
Recovering from digital infidelity in your marriage or committed relationship is a challenging process requiring professional support. At Martine Law, our experienced Minneapolis divorce and family law attorneys can help. We provide the sensitive yet strong legal counsel you need during this difficult time.
From ensuring you get a fair split of assets in the divorce process to obtaining full custody if your ex’s cheating threatens your children’s wellbeing, we will protect your interests. And our team handles these sensitive situations with the utmost discretion at every step.
Don’t endure the aftermath of online marital affairs alone. The compassionate and strategic legal advice from Martine Law helps rebalance power in your favor. We aim to negotiate favorable out-of-court settlements when aligned with your goals while fighting relentlessly in court if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions – Signs of Online Cheating
Can I legally monitor my spouse’s devices in Minnesota?
You have a right to be concerned if you reasonably suspect your spouse or partner is cheating online. However, installing spyware or hacking into their smartphone or computer accounts could violate state or federal statutes without proper consent. Tread carefully and consult a Minnesota lawyer to avoid illegal surveillance of a spouse.
Can I sue the person my spouse cheated with online in Minnesota?
Minnesota law does not allow you to sue a spouse’s affair partner. Even if this person knew your partner was married, they did not make vows to you – your cheating spouse did. Consider directing your energy into either reviving the damaged marriage or moving forward with divorce proceedings in Minnesota instead.
Am I entitled to more assets in a Minnesota divorce if my partner cheated online?
Under Minnesota statute 518.58, you can potentially claim marital misconduct such as online cheating impacted divorce asset distribution. However, infidelity does not guarantee you will receive a greater share. An experienced Minnesota divorce attorney can best advise on your options if this becomes a contested issue.
Discovering your partner has been unfaithful online in Minnesota is undoubtedly painful. But you have options, and professional legal counsel can help protect your rights. The attorneys at
Martine Law assist clients in navigating the aftermath of digital affairs and provide guidance focused on their best interests. Contact our Minnesota law offices today to schedule a consultation.
