Gen Z is cheating like never before.

Welcome to the world of next-gen cheating, where a secret flirtation can be as simple as a late-night 'like' on someone's Instagram or a private Snapchat streak with that one crush.

For Gen Z, loyalty isn't just about staying out of strangers' beds; it's about managing digital boundaries in a hyper-connected world.

As dating and relationship coach Sophie Howe explains, "Gen Z tends to view emotional intimacy as just as serious as physical cheating, with digital secrecy a big red flag."

With tricks like burner accounts, close friends lists, and Finstas, Gen Z has redefined what it means to be faithful — or not.

Watch: Woman discovers partner cheating through receipts left on table. Post continues after video.

Burner accounts.

When it comes to sneaky interactions, Gen Z often turns to burner accounts — anonymous or hidden profiles used just for fun, flirtation, or testing the waters.

"Burners allow Gen Z-ers to interact with potential 'options' without the risk of someone seeing it on their main profile," Howe explained.

It's a discreet way to dip a toe into new connections or keep tabs on crushes without anyone catching on.

Private stories and close friends lists.

Forget one-size-fits-all content. Gen Z customises their flirtation by setting up private stories or "close friends" lists where only select people can view risqué or flirty posts.

This creates an "exclusive" vibe, letting them share special moments or inside jokes with their inner circle (or secret crushes).

According to Howe, this "boundary-blurring behaviour" is common, with some Gen Z-ers using these features to subtly signal interest without crossing a more obvious line.

Finstas.

Finstas, or fake Instagram accounts, are like a parallel universe where Gen Z users share the more personal, unfiltered side of their lives.

While they're often used to vent or post "real" content without judgement, they can also make it easier to flirt and maintain connections that go unnoticed.

As Howe pointed out, "It's another layer of digital privacy that lets Gen Z explore feelings or flirt without risking exposure on their main account."

Snapchat streaks.

To some, Snapchat streaks are just a fun way to stay in touch. But in Gen Z dating culture, keeping streaks with exes or crushes can tread on dangerous ground.

"The consistency of daily interaction builds a closeness that can start to feel romantic, even if it's not overtly physical," Howe said.

For many, the streak represents a special connection — and letting it die out is a big deal.

Dating apps.

Gen Z might be in a relationship, but many keep dating apps downloaded "just in case". It's a way of browsing other options without fully committing to them, driven by the "fear of missing out" that dating apps foster.

Howe said that this can lead to "comparison shopping," where monogamy starts to feel like a limiting commitment, making it harder for Gen Z to commit when the next best thing is just a swipe away.

Soft launches.

Gone are the days of big relationship announcements. Instead, Gen Z is all about the "soft launch" — teasing a new romantic interest with a strategically vague post.

This allows them to "test the waters" with minimal commitment and see how their current audience (or exes) reacts.

"It reflects their fluid approach to commitment," Howe said, "where exclusivity isn't necessarily verbalised but still exists in an emotional sense."

Archiving and deleting messages.

For Gen Z, message apps aren't just for texting — they're the battlegrounds of secret conversations and flirty exchanges. Many have mastered the art of "archive and delete" to keep things hidden, Howe said.

A quick swipe deletes that risky message thread, while archiving allows them to revisit or revive a conversation later without it showing up on their main chat list.

This trick lets them keep "off-limits" connections tucked away from prying eyes, so everything looks perfectly innocent if someone grabs their phone.

Privacy settings.

Gen Z is all about curating their audience, and privacy settings let them create specific filters for every relationship, explains Howe.

They might restrict certain people from seeing posts, add "close friends" for specific Stories, or toggle who can view their online status on apps like Instagram or WhatsApp.

These controls let them flirt, post, and even communicate in ways that only their chosen audience can see, creating layers of secrecy within their social media circles. For some, keeping tabs on who's "restricted" has become just as strategic as managing followers.

Time-limited messaging apps.

In the digital world, nothing is truly gone — but apps like Snapchat and WhatsApp give Gen Z a "get out of jail free" card with disappearing messages.

These time-limited texts or images vanish once viewed, leaving little evidence behind. It's an ideal setup for flirty exchanges or a sneaky confession, allowing them to enjoy risky chats without worrying about lingering evidence.

The ephemeral nature of these messages makes it easier for them to flirt or keep in touch with a crush, giving them a perfect way to cover their tracks.

File-sharing apps.

Perhaps the wildest move of all. Instead of messaging, some Gen Z use shared folders to upload "conversations" as files, essentially turning a cloud service into a hidden chat room.

This method keeps messages off social media and messaging apps, creating an interaction style that's way off the radar, Howe explained.

A chat disguised as a "study folder" or "project notes" flies under the radar for even the nosiest friends or partners — and since it doesn't leave the usual app trail, it's far harder to detect.

Feature Image: Getty.