Expert issues warning about 'slippery slope' relationship trend that can lead to breakups

Experts are weighing in on the 'emotional consequences' on engaging in a relationship trend which can leave your relationship on the line.

It's a sad day in the world when a type of cheating is so prevalent it becomes a trend, alas, in the modern age with technology at our fingertips, it makes it even easier for wandering eyes and fingers to roam.

Prepare to sit down and have a hard think about how you use your phone and how your partner uses their device too.

The trend doesn't involve physical contact with someone outside of the relationship, but instead looks at small actions which can be considered as breaking the trust of a partner.

And Helen Robertson listed four key signs that most couples would agree count as taking part in this trend for news.com.au.

Microcheating is reportedly on the rise (Getty Stock Images)

We are, of course, talking about Microcheating.

From keeping a dating profile active to communicating with an ex in private, having an emotional affairs to being flirty with someone online - and yes that includes liking tons of someone's social media posts - there are a multitude of small acts done in secrecy, which could lead to a person's trust being broken and ultimately seen as 'microcheating'.

But is it really cheating if you haven't been having a full-on emotional relationship with someone or haven't physically gone out and acted upon your desires?

Is mircocheating really cheating?

Well, it's ultimately up to you and your partner to discuss boundaries and expectations within your relationship and what you deem to be cheating or not.

Psychologist in Berkeley, California, and host of the Relationships Made Easy podcast, Abby Medcalf, adds, as quoted by the Post: "It’s cheating if your partner doesn’t like it, or doesn’t know about it, or wouldn’t like it if they knew about it."

But how do you know if your partner may be microcheating?

It may be a good time to sit down with your partner and discuss boundaries (Getty Stock Images)

Signs your partner may be microcheating

Well, if they're on their phone a lot and get twitchy about answering it around you or you seeing their screen, it could be a good idea to use this article as a good excuse and sit down and have a chat about boundaries.

Therapist and owner of Just Mind Counseling centers in Austin, Texas, William Schroeder reassures there's also a way back from microcheating if it does happen within your relationship, forcing you both to ask yourselves what you both truly want and expect in a relationship and whether you can give that to one another.

And if you've been engaging in 'microcheating' yourself?

Ty Tashiro, psychologist and author of The Science of Happily Ever After: What Really Matters in the Quest for Enduring Love told NBC: “Though micro-cheating does not involve physical contact with someone outside the committed relationship, it’s important to avoid the temptation to overemphasize the ‘micro’ part of the phrase and remember that ‘cheating’ is the operative word.

"When one betrays a partner’s trust there are always emotional consequences for the partner’s well-being and the integrity of the relationship."