Why, you may ask? Well, in the virtual world, you all think it’s fun and games when talking to somebody else. But do you realize that there is another human being sitting in the chair on the other end? Have you thought that when you say things you don’t mean, they actually go through to someone else’s eyes? Have you ever said, “Will you go out with me,” or, “I love you,” to somebody in the virtual world when you’re already in a relationship? Would you consider it cheating? Many people do (and some, surprisingly, don’t)!

In my opinion, it is cheating. You are a human being, there is another human being on the other end, and you both have feelings. Imagine telling your spouse, “Oh yeah hun, I’m dating this person online and I told them I loved them today.” You’re telling me that your spouse would be totally okay with that? And it’s the same if you didn’t tell your spouse. You would be keeping it from him! That’s just my opinion, but here are a bunch more:

BonezFashion said:
“I think having an ‘online partner’ means nothing, however, I would consider it cheating.”

RyuBluerider said:
“My ex snarled at me (more than once) that ‘every time you tell someone on the internet that you love them, you’re cheating on me!’
Duh. The only people on the internet I say ‘I love you’ to are my kids, my mom and dad, my sister-in-law, and sometimes I sling a casual ‘bye, love ya’ at close friends.”

Spybunny said:
“Yes, it’s dating another person while in a relationship.”

sugarandspice949 said:
“It is cheating, and although it doesn’t seem like such a huge deal, I wouldn’t want my boyfriend doing it. It’s nowhere near as bad as real cheating, but that doesn’t make it good.”

Clarity said:
“What makes it so hard for people to understand the concept is the fact that both ‘people’ or avatars are virtual characters. If one’s virtual avatar touches another, they’re not touching each other in real life, it’s only a character, therefore not often considered cheating.
However . . . in my opinion, yes, it is cheating, because although the two are only in a virtual relationship, there are still two different people on the ends of those computers, and two different people putting effort into the relationship in real life, just by a different means of communication.
If a virtual relationship is not real, then talking to your real-life spouse on the phone isn’t real, and writing to a pen pal isn’t real. Just because it is not in person, doesn’t make it any less significant.”

Jen said:
“You can’t differentiate between bad and good cheating: cheating is cheating.
That’s like saying oral [communication] isn’t real.
There are many people who cheat on their spouses/significant others while online. They try to rationalize that it’s not really hurting anyone, therefore it’s not really cheating, yet they hide what they’re doing. That’s a true sign of a cheater: hiding it. If you really thinks it’s okay, tell your spouse/other what you’re doing; be honest.
Sex, Lies, and IMVU-scape”

fieryrose1 said:
“I think it depends on the situation; if you’re just talking, then no, but if you’re not wearing any clothes and doing inappropriate things, then yes, it is cheating.”

Tabatha said:
“It’s only virtual cheating. It’s not real.”

BananaPiink said:
“I say kind of.
Just logging on to IMVU isn’t cheating. Some people want to actually make friends on the messenger, but there are others with bad intentions from the start, and you all know what I mean. As long as you’re not doing something inappropriate (kissing, dating, Cybering), it’s not cheating, but if it would be considered cheating in the “real world,” then yeah, it is cheating.”

Aoien said:
“It sort of is, and sort of isn’t. I had a boyfriend (somewhat) on IMVU and I told him about my other boyfriend in real life (but I broke up with my real-life boyfriend lol) and he got jealous and yeah . . . *hides back in shadows.*”

In response to what Tabatha said, “It’s only virtual cheating. It’s not real.” - if it is not real, then why are guys being put in jail for talking to girls under the age of 18 on the internet for “Cybering”? [Stated by RyuBluerider: She does have a point. There is a show on television called "Dateline" that actually catches sexual predators online for talking to underaged girls. But why if it's 'soooo unreal'? Well, it must be real.]

Shauncy said:
“Cheating can come in many definitions. However, this would be defined as to be intimately and/or sexually unfaithful to your spouse or partner. If you have an understanding with your spouse, I would not classify it as cheating because he/she knows and accepts your participation in a virtual relationship. In my opinion, I wouldn’t accept or tolerate my husband having an online girlfriend. Humans are born with emotions. Some of the emotions are beyond our control. What you consider as fun may become personal and very real to the other person. Although they are separated by a state, country, universe, or wherever they may reside, the fact is they’re spending time online together. They are getting to know each other better. That could possibly give them some form of emotional attachment. No matter how much someone pleads their love for you, they’re still human. They have a heart that reacts on feelings. Sometimes these feelings can be too strong to control. If you’re happy with your partner/spouse, why continue looking?”
BananaPiink says she agrees with Shauncy 100%. Beautifully said!

Spritz said:
“I don’t think it’s cheating because it’s, like, just an avatar and someone shouldn’t care what an avatar does.”

Spritz had a lot of negative feedback to her statement:

Shauncy responded to Spritz’ opinion saying: “Your avatar can only do what you control it to do. Therefore, the avatar is reacting on human emotions. For example, let’s say you have an online boyfriend that’s married in real life. You guys only communicate through your avatar. You’re getting to know each other, and suddenly an emotional attachment begins to form. You didn’t intend for this to happen, but now you can’t stop thinking about him. You can’t go a day without speaking (or in this case, chatting) with him. You are crossing from virtual emotions to human emotions. He’s crossed from having fun to cheating on his wife. I had a virtual relationship once before. The guy wasn’t seeing anyone else, but we were only playing around for fun in a group he created. Fun lead to getting to know each other which eventually lead to a real life relationship. We’re now living together as husband and wife, and this started right here on IMVU.
A person may enter something virtual with thoughts of not crossing certain boundaries, but what we fail to realize is that the heart cannot be controlled. After all, “The heart wants what the heart wants.” If you’re a couple and considering doing this, my suggestion would be to do it carefully and be prepared for anything.
In no way am I suggesting that you’re having an online relationship with a married person. I was just using you as an example to get my point across.”

Jen responded to Spritz’ opinion saying: “So you’d be okay if your boyfriend/significant other/spouse was telling someone online that he loves them, and they were simulating sex acts where he was getting off of them at home?
And as Shauncy said, even with online affairs, it takes emotion which can and does affect and hurt people in real life.”

Clarity responded to Spritz’ opinion saying: “It’s an avatar with a human behind the computer. Therefore, although it’s pixeled, there are still feelings behind that avatar.”

Spybunny responded to Spritz’ opinion saying: “It’s the human behind the avatar that counts. Would you honestly say that you wouldn’t mind if your boyfriend/girlfriend was having cyber sex with other people?”

I ran a poll to see what people thought and 63% think it’s considered cheating, 9% think it’s not considered cheating, and 27% kind of think it’s cheating.

You can add your opinion by leaving a comment here or by going here.

By: BabiiBunnie

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