Should social media likes and follows count as cheating? Le Monde report revisits 'micro-cheating' debate

A report published by the French newspaper Le Monde has reopened discussion over where loyalty ends and betrayal begins in the digital age. The report notes that couples interpret social media behavior very differently, with frequent likes, personal comments and hidden exchanges cited as common sources of friction. Relationship specialists use the term "micro-cheating" to describe actions that fall outside a traditional relationship or physical affair but can still damage trust. The behavior is said to include repeated likes on another person's posts, privately toned comments and conversations concealed from a partner. Experts quoted in the report say such actions are not cheating on their own, but can become a problem when they cross boundaries a couple has agreed on or lead to a loss of trust. They also note that there is no single definition of cheating that applies universally, and that the threshold varies according to the nature of the relationship, the understanding between partners and what each considers acceptable. The report argues that social media and artificial intelligence are reshaping emotional relationships, making the line between ordinary interaction and betrayal harder to draw than in previous generations.