Virtual Infidelity Reader Survey: 56% Say Cheating More Likely In Second Life Than Other Online Mediums

Here's the results of last week's reader survey on virtual infidelity, with 166 votes received. A majority of 56% believe that cheating is more likely to happen in Second Life, than other online medium. "A 3D virtual environment hits a sweet spot for intimate encounters," as Arcadia Codesmith astutely puts it in Comments. "On the one hand, it avoids the embarrassing literalness of webcams; on the other hand, the visual richness of the environment is more immersive than text."

This tracks to my own observations; I've met many Second Life users with committed real life relationships who went in-world with absolutely no intention of even flirtation -- business people, academics, government researchers and more -- who unexpectedly find themselves swimming in the seductiveness of avatar-driven romance. But if it's true that SL is more likely to lead to that kind of temptation, than other mediums, that also implies Second Life is more likely to provoke other emotions that are also more deeply felt -- empathy, for instance, or inspiration, joy.

Comments

[Shava Nerad]

I'm tempted to say this just means that people in SL don't have time to explore other media for infidelity...:)

The UK's Telegraph reported recently that Facebook was cited as a cause in 20% of divorce filings. 20%! I bet 56% of the rest don't mention SL.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/facebook/6857918/Facebook-fuelling-divorce-research-claims.html

[LittleLostLinden]

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/social.media/06/01/facebook.divorce.lawyers/index.html

Just another reason not to use facebook.

Be careful with your virtual infidelities people.