Digital infidelity is becoming one of the fastest-growing threats to modern marriages. Kenyan family lawyers report that social media evidence is now cited in over 30-40% of divorce petitions they handle, especially among young couples in urban areas.
Trust is a foundation in marriage; when it is broken down, it creates a cycle of suspicion. For instance, once you discover a partner you trusted is engaging in cheating, even without physical contact, trust is severely damaged. The rise of surveillance and snooping apps may affect one of the partners, who may add detection material to invade his or her privacy to monitor his or her interaction with other people.
Online affairs are always a gateway to physical infidelity as they eventually have to cross over into real-life meetings, further threatening the marriage. Both partners can suffer anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem after the incident. A feeling of betrayal may cause withdrawal from physical intimacy.
The increase in sugar daddies and sugar mummies is due to digital infidelity. As many prosperous men and woman who are older satisfy their feelings through social media as they destroy their marriages. They have transactions with the young people who may even be the same age as their children.
Many online cheaters seek refuge in the legal implications of one’s right to privacy. This leads to a higher divorce risk as couples can not rebuild their trust and often end up separating by divorcing. In some cultures, online cheating is treated the same as physical adultery.
Couples should maintain honest conversations, regular check-ins, and have conflict resolution skills. Set digital boundaries together to have transparent agreements, device use etiquette, and social media friend rules.
They should further build emotional and physical intimacy by having quality time, appreciation, and affirmation. There is a need for enhanced digital responsibility in society to leverage faith and cultural support systems.
