SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) – It’s hard to find someone without a smartphone or a Facebook account. And while there are positives, these high-tech luxuries may be a gateway to infidelity.
It’s a nationwide problem. One theory? Being able to flirt with the push of a button is erasing precious moments, where in the past, one’s conscience just might kick in.
It’s sneaky, undetectable, and can do major damage.
“Huge. I mean it is so hurtful. Rebuilding trust is extremely difficult,” said Salt Lake City certified marriage counselor Jonathan Swinton.
“It's a message away, it's a tweet away, a Facebook away, a text away,” said Caitlin Baker.
Swinton says about a third of his clients are dealing with infidelity.
“It's so much easier now to give in to the temptation,” said Swinton.
And he can’t remember one case in the last two years that wasn’t aided by some sort of technology.
“One of my friends caught her current boyfriend texting an ex,” said Ceri Rees.
“Most people I think it starts out seemingly innocent but it can quickly move into the danger zone for their relationship,” said Swinton.
Swinton says there are typically already signs of marriage problems before the secrecy beings. This leads to a spouse or significant other to easily turn to technology as an outlet.
“To be able to connect with people in ways that you can easily hide,” said Swinton.
Swinton suggests the speed of technology takes away a lot of the thought process.
“The methods just took a lot more effort. Their conscience could kick in and say, ‘you know what, I'm not going to do it, I'm going to turn this car around, I'm not going to pick up that phone.’ But now just click, click, click, click it's done,” said Swinton.
Then it quickly escalates and goes too far.
“Well, I would definitely find out because I know his password to everything,” said Caitlin Baker.
“Yea, we do (know each other’s password),” said Rees.
“I don't think I remember it,” said Rees’s boyfriend of two years, Andrew Beckett.
“He knows it, but he's got a really bad memory,” said Rees.
These couples have it figured out. Swinton says the key to a healthy marriage is openness and honesty.
“Once it's (trust) broken it's done,” said Caitlin.
Swinton says if you give it try the odds are you’ll get caught.
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