Social media has become a ubiquitous part of our daily lives. We use it to connect with friends, share major life moments, and — evidently— cheat. Studies show a positive correlation between social media addiction and online infidelity. And with roughly two billion monthly users, Instagram is one of the most popular social networking platforms worldwide. This article will help you understand what to do if you believe your partner is cheating on Instagram.
Why is Cheating so Prevalent on Instagram?
Instagram provides a fantastic platform for sharing photos, videos, and stories. It allows us to connect with friends, family, and even strangers across the globe. However, despite its many advantages, Instagram is not immune to issues such as infidelity.
Instagram is often used for cheating, affecting many relationships. On a platform where users post only their best images, it’s not uncommon for people to wander outside their relationship. The abundance of attractive accounts and detached feelings from behind a screen leads to frequent infidelity.
Common Signs of Cheating on Instagram
It’s a harsh reality to face, but sometimes relationships involve cheating. If you suspect your partner is using Instagram for cheating, you need to keep your eyes peeled for the signs. They may not always be easy to spot, but they can reveal a lot about what’s going on behind the scenes.
Vanishing or Deleted Messages
If your partner is cheating on Instagram, they are probably hiding their interactions on the platform. Two of the most popular ways to cover up conversations are enabling “Vanish Mode” or deleting messages manually. Messages sent in “Vanish Mode” disappear after the recipient has viewed them and closed the chat. If you suspect that your partner is cheating on you, check if they have this setting toggled on. If they are in the habit of deleting messages, professional cyber investigators may be able to recover them.
Abnormal Instagram Activity
Is your partner suddenly much more active on Instagram? Do they rarely engage with you on the platform, but always appear online? Do they change the visibility of their profile and posts sporadically? Or maybe, they’ve created a secret second account altogether. It’s entirely possible that your significant other’s change in activity has nothing to do with infidelity. However, it’s important to take note of — especially if it’s paired with other red flags.
Protective Over Their Phone
Do you notice that your partner never seems to put their phone down or that they become overly protective of it when you’re nearby? This could be an indication that they’re hiding something from you. And if they start hiding their phone altogether, be on high alert. It’s never easy to confront the possibility of infidelity, but it’s better to face it head-on than to be caught off-guard later on.
Emotionally and Physically Distant
It’s common for disloyal partners to grow distant. This is often due to a combination of lost feelings and a guilty conscience. On Instagram, cheating wives and husbands may stop sharing photos of their significant other. In the real world, they may seem disconnected. They might even disappear physically, using excuses such as the following to explain their absence.
- “I’m working late at the office tonight.”
- “I’m grabbing a drink with some friends tonight.”
- “I’m meeting an out-of-town relative for dinner.”
- “I have to go to the gym after work.”
Explanations That Don’t Match Actions
If you’re partner is cheating on Instagram, they have probably told you a slew of lies to cover their tracks. Not only this, but they are likely balancing different fake story lines between you and others. It’s almost inevitable that cracks in their lies present themselves. We’ve listed some common excuses used by Instagram cheaters above. Keep track of their stories and take note of any that contradict their previous claims.
How to Catch a Cheater on Instagram
One or more of the aforementioned warning signs could lead to suspicions that your partner is cheating on Instagram. However, you will want to go off more than just suspicion. Cheating accusations are serious and can be just as detrimental as cheating itself if they are ungrounded. We advise the following methods to find evidence of cheating on Instagram. It’s important to note that this should be done in a legal and consensual manner.
- Check Their Location. Check the tagged locations of your partner’s posts. Do these places match the story of where they told you they’d be? If not, this may support your suspicions.
- Analyze Their Activity. Evaluate your significant other’s posts, likes, comments, DMs, and followers. Are they liking suggestive content from other people? Maybe they are interacting with their previous partners.
- Track Their Instagram Usage. In addition to suspicious behavior within the app, check how much your partner spends on Instagram in general. Phones typically show screentime data over periods of days and weeks. Look for any abnormal spikes in time spent on the app.
- Get Expert Assistance. If you are having trouble finding proof of any cheating on Instagram, you may wish to work with professional investigators. They can confirm or disprove your suspicions to give you some closure on the matter.
Speaking Openly with Your Partner About Cheating on Instagram
Cheating on Instagram is a common issue nowadays. If you suspect your partner is cheating on Instagram, don’t ignore your gut feeling. Take the necessary steps to protect yourself. The above-discussed tips and techniques can help you catch a cheater on Instagram. However, the most important and delicate step is confronting your partner.
You will want to make sure you choose a time and place where you can both give your full attention. Make sure you have collected proof of any suspicious activity and prepare for a difficult discussion. Try to remain calm as you present your concerns. Guage your partners response, as it can often indicate if they are being truthful. It might not be easy, but an open conversation often leads to the best resolution.
Investigating Cheating on Instagram Legally and Effectively
People will do crazy things for love — and because of love. Those who suspect their partner of cheating on Instagram may consider taking extreme measures to confirm their suspicions. Sometimes, these action cross over into illegal activity.
Actions like unauthorized access to devices or GPS tracking can be considered stalking or harassment and carry legal penalties. To avoid breaking the law, it’s best to work with professional investigators to catch a cheater. These experts can collect data that is inaccessible to the average user, and they understand the laws around digital investigations.
If you suspect your partner is cheating on Instagram, you can count Cyber Investigation to get you the facts. Our experts have handled these cases before, and we follow ethical standards to align with the law. You can contact our Infidelity Hotline to speak with one of our specialists today.