Question from Jane C.: This guy and I have been dating for a few months now, and everything is going great, but I sometimes get bothered by the way he interacts with other girls on social media. It will pop up on my Facebook Newsfeed that he’s liked a bunch of girl’s photos or commented on some girl’s picture. Should I read into this, or am I just being paranoid?
Related Link: Is It Okay If My Boyfriend Texts His Ex?
Suzanne K. Oshima, Matchmaker: When you’re dating someone exclusively, it just means that you’re not going to date other people. It doesn’t mean that he can’t be friends with other women or like their photos on Facebook.
However, that being said, his behavior could be inappropriate based on the type of photos he’s liking or commenting on. If the photos are innocent in nature, then I wouldn’t be so worried. But if the photos are sexy or provocative photos of the women and he’s making inappropriate comments, then it’s definitely a red flag that he may have a wandering eye. Not to mention the fact that it’s completely disrespectful to you! If the tables were reversed, I’m sure he wouldn’t appreciate you liking and commenting on photos of other men with their shirts off or flexing their muscles.
It’s not something that I would say you should break up over. However, it is something that you should keep an eye out for.
Paige Wyatt, Reality Star: The way people interact online can give you a good insight to their personality. In your boyfriend’s case, he seems to be flirty and outgoing. He doesn’t think twice when he comments on girls’ pictures or posts on their walls because that’s his personality. He probably doesn’t see anything wrong with it. His online interactions are completely innocent to him because he doesn’t think too deeply into them. Although it may not be a problem to him, it is for you. It’s important to be open and honest with your feelings and opinions, so let him know what you’re thinking. Otherwise, he may never change his behavior.
Related Link: Should I Delete or Unfriend My Exes on Social Networks?
Robert Manni, Guy’s Guy: It’s called social media for a reason. People connect online and socialize. Unfortunately, a lot of guys raised on social media think the way to score dates is sitting in front of their laptops in their tightey whiteys and hitting on random women. And that could be the case here. Without knowing the parameters of Jane’s relationship, it’s easy to condemn this guy for blatantly flirting while he’s dating Jane.
If they’re in an exclusive relationship, Jane might ask why he’s so friendly with these other women. If he’s evasive or she doesn’t buy his answer, she has some choices. She can put up with it (not recommended), return the favor and also flirt online, or start dating other people — at least until he realizes what’s good for guys can be very good for the ladies.
To find out more about our three dating and technology gurus, click here.
If you have any questions you would like answered by our experts, please submit them on our Contact Page.
How do you handle concern about your partner’s social media habits? Share with us in the comments below!
