Los Angeles‑based sex and couples therapist Ilana Grines says there is no single definition of cheating. In her clinical view, infidelity depends on what each couple has agreed to and whether the behavior is hidden. She told Mashable that the GTA 6 argument is “TikTok bait,” but it highlights a real need for couples to discuss emerging digital experiences.

Grines points out that modern relationships are encountering technologies—video games, AI chatbots, virtual worlds—for which most people have no relational script. Without a shared understanding, partners may jump to call something “cheating” when the underlying issue is something else, such as feeling ignored or insecure.

She recommends that couples talk about the game before it releases, identify exactly what feels uncomfortable—whether it is emotional time, sexual content, or fantasy—and then negotiate clear boundaries that fit their relationship. Recognising the specific hurt allows the pair to set parameters rather than rely on vague labels.

The GTA 6 debate shows that defining cheating is a personal decision, and clear communication about expectations is essential whenever new digital experiences enter a relationship.