You’re being intimate with someone else
Just because you aren’t physically intimate with the person doesn’t mean that intimacy doesn’t exist. Even sending someone else pictures of your private parts is intimacy in a way that would betray the trust in the relationship.
It’s done with the intent to act upon it
This means, you might not be physically cheating but you’re kind of planning on doing it.
You’re emotionally involved
When you’re emotionally invested in someone else, it’s cheating. It might not seem like it, but it is. You can’t have a partner and be emotionally involved with someone else.
It’s a betrayal
Engaging in something inappropriate with someone else clearly betrays the trust your partner has on you. You may think a few texts to release your sexual urges are harmless, but if your partner found out, you’ll definitely lose their trust. And trust is a hard thing to rebuild once it is lost.
You’re hiding it
If you’re engaging in any way with someone else and feel the need to hide it from your partner, you’re cheating. If you can’t be open and honest with your partner about whom you’re talking to, then you’re betraying your partner in some way. If sexting is the case, then it’s definitely cheating.