Have you ever felt a sinking feeling in your gut when you see your partner glued to their phone, scrolling through Facebook? Maybe they seem a little too secretive about their activity, or their behavior has shifted in a way that makes you uneasy.

While Facebook can be a great tool for connecting with friends and family, it can also create an avenue for infidelity.

Think for yourself: how easy is it to cheat on Facebook? With just a few clicks, your partner can engage in private conversations, share intimate moments with someone else, or even create a fake profile to hide their activities.

This article isn’t meant to fuel paranoia but rather to provide some clarity. If you’re finding yourself questioning your partner’s loyalty, here are 20 signs that might warrant a conversation:

Why Do You Have to Worry About Cheating in Facebook?

Facebook offers a platform for seemingly innocent communication, but it can easily morph into something more. People can create fake profiles, hide messages, and connect with others in private groups. The ease of online communication, coupled with anonymity, can create a breeding ground for emotional affairs and, sometimes, even physical ones.

The key reason why Facebook cheating is dangerous is the emotional connection it can create. When someone engages in conversations with someone outside of their relationship, they are opening up a door to intimacy that should be reserved for their partner. And while not all online interactions turn into physical infidelity, emotional betrayal can be just as damaging.

So, if you’re noticing any of these signs, don’t brush them off as harmless social media use.

20 Facebook Cheating Signs

1. The Super Shifty Screen

This one’s pretty obvious. Does your partner quickly minimize their Facebook screen or frantically switch apps whenever you walk into the room? If their Facebook activity suddenly becomes top secret, it’s a cause for concern. Innocent users don’t usually feel the need to hide their activity.

2. The Notification Ninja

Your partner used to barely notice their phone notifications, but now they seem to vibrate every two seconds, especially when Facebook is involved. If they’re constantly glued to their phone, responding to messages in a frenzy, it might be a sign they’re hiding something. Another sign of this behavior is never leaving their phone unattended or on silent.

3. The Mysterious New “Friends”

Does your partner have a sudden influx of new Facebook friends you don’t recognize? If they’re hesitant to introduce you or offer vague explanations about these new connections, it’s a red flag. Your partner doesn’t have to lay out their entire social media life for you, but if they’re actively hiding information, it’s worth exploring.

4. The Ghosting Group Chats

Remember those fun group chats you used to enjoy with your partner? Now, whenever a notification pops up from a specific group, they suddenly become unavailable or suspiciously quiet. This could indicate they’re uncomfortable with you seeing their interactions within that group. Perhaps the Mysterious New “Friends” are part of this group.

5. The Late-Night Liker

Have you noticed a surge in late-night Facebook activity, particularly liking photos or posts from unfamiliar profiles? This might suggest they’re seeking attention or connections outside of their relationship. It doesn’t matter whether your SO is liking photos from a crush or random people – the intent is still questionable.

6. The “Just Friends” Justification

They constantly reassure you that certain people on Facebook are “just friends,” even if their behavior online suggests otherwise. Maybe they leave overly flirtatious comments or engage in lengthy private messages. Trust your gut on this one. If you can’t give a proper justification for their actions, show your close friends these comments and ask them for an unbiased opinion.

7. The Selective Social Media Memory

Your partner seems to be meticulously curating their Facebook presence. They might delete old photos or posts that could raise questions about their past or contradict their current story. If pics of you and your partner or references to your relationship are suddenly disappearing, it could be a sign they’re trying to make themselves seem single or available.

8. The Disappearing Messages

A sudden shift towards apps with disappearing messages, like Facebook Messenger’s “secret conversations” feature, could indicate a desire to keep their online communication hidden. This feature allows users to set a timer for messages, which automatically deletes them after the set time has passed. It’s an ideal tool for cheating partners to keep their tracks covered.

9. The Phone Becomes a PDA Accessory

While some couples enjoy sharing their love online, a sudden and excessive increase in public displays of affection on Facebook, especially with overly romantic posts or comments, could be a way to mask underlying issues in the relationship. They might be “love bombing” to make their partner feel secure while also actively seeking attention and validation from others.

10. The “Work Trip” Wardrobe Change

If an upcoming business trip suddenly requires a complete wardrobe overhaul, and the new clothes seem more suited for a night out than a work meeting, it might be a cause for raised eyebrows. That’s not exactly about Facebook usage, but if their online interactions suggest something is off, and they suddenly need to look good for a work trip, it could be a red flag.

11. The Unexplained Bills

Unexplained charges on their phone bill for unfamiliar numbers or data usage can be a red flag. These could be charges for calls or texts to someone you don’t know or for data used on apps they’re trying to keep hidden.

12. The Name Change Shuffle

Contacts in their phone or Facebook messenger list mysteriously get renamed or hidden, making you wonder who they’re really trying to keep under wraps. You might notice familiar names replaced with nicknames or emojis. If you ask them about it, they might brush it off as “just a joke” or get defensive.

13. The “Wrong Number” Excuse

Those “wrong number” texts seem to be happening a little too frequently, often followed by hurried explanations and deleted messages. They might seem flustered or avoid discussing the content of the “wrong number” text altogether.

14. The Elusive Emoji Expert

Their Facebook messages, once full of playful banter and inside jokes, are now riddled with generic emojis that leave you feeling confused and out of the loop. They might also become overly secretive about who they’re messaging with.

15. The Battery Drain Dilemma

Their phone used to last all day on a single charge, but now it seems to be on the verge of a permanent power nap, thanks to all the mysterious Facebook activity. Frequent battery drain can be a sign of increased phone usage, especially for activities that require a lot of data, like video calls or streaming.

16. The Sudden Short Calls

Their Facebook messenger calls are shorter and more cryptic, often ending abruptly whenever you walk into the room. They might also become more secretive about who they’re talking to, avoiding mentioning names or keeping their voice hushed during conversations.↳

17. The Fake News Friend

They start mentioning new Facebook friends you’ve never met, and their stories about these “friends” seem a little too convenient. Maybe they provide vague details about these new people or avoid introducing you to them.

18. The Deflection Dance

If you ever express concern about their Facebook habits, they make you feel guilty or question your trust in them. They might turn the tables and accuse you of being jealous or insecure, deflecting from the real issue.↳

19. The Guilt Trip Gaslighter

Similar to the deflection dance, they use guilt trips and gaslighting tactics to avoid addressing your concerns. They might make you feel like you’re overreacting or imagining things.↳

20. The “Do Not Disturb” Defender

Dinner conversations are constantly interrupted by a buzzing phone, but their “Do Not Disturb” mode seems permanently activated when you’re around. This suggests they prioritize whoever they’re communicating with on Facebook over being present in the moment with you.↳

Conclusion

While one or two of these signs may not necessarily be a cause for alarm, it’s important to pay attention to patterns and changes in your partner’s Facebook behavior. If something feels off or suspicious, chances are there’s a reason for it.

Trust your instincts and pay attention to how your partner’s Facebook usage affects your relationship. You know your partner more than any relationship expert or social media guru, so don’t ignore your gut feelings.

Here’s our last word of advice: don’t snoop on your partner’s Facebook account when they’re not around. The app can notify them of any suspicious activity, which could lead to further trust issues in the relationship.

Plus, you might not find what you’re looking for. Facebook has too many features and settings that could hide their tracks, making it difficult for you to find concrete evidence.

Instead, use a digital monitoring tool, such as Phonsee, to track your partner’s activity without them knowing. This will give you a clearer picture of their Facebook usage. Even if your SO deletes their history or messages, Phonsee can still retrieve the data for you to review.

So, why wait any longer? Trust your instincts, and if you feel like something is off with your partner’s Facebook usage, get to the bottom of it with Phonsee.