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My boyfriend is paranoid that I'm chatting inappropriately with other men on social media.

97 replies

Peapod2016 · 06/01/2026 10:02

When I met my boyfriend 9 months ago I was still connected with some people on social media that I'd previously dated. After a couple of months we became exclusive and he didn't like me still having these connections. I removed them all to make him feel more comfortable and was happy to do that as I didn't need to stay in touch with any of them. But since then he's still really paranoid and keeps asking if I'm talking to any other men or getting messages from any other men. He usually accepts it when I say no but recently he's been asking to look at my phone to see my message apps and phone photos. I don't feel comfortable with that as I feel like it's invading my privacy but if I refuse he takes it to mean that I'm guilty and I must be hiding something. At Christmas it got heated as we were both drunk and he got very angry and started throwing things around when I wouldn't show him my camera reel on my phone. Am I being unreasonable not giving him free access to my phone? I'm not hiding anything as I'm not talking to anyone but still want to keep some parts of my life private.

OP posts:
LoveSandbanks · 06/01/2026 12:55

Dump and run, he’ll be accusing you of talking to men while you’re at work soon. This isn’t going to go well, he’s a controlling, abusive cunt. Get out now.

Greatfuled · 06/01/2026 12:55

Are you frightened to end this relationship; frightened of what he'll do? Frightened that he'll be able say "Told you so, you're going off with one of those men you've been talking to". Get some help to end this - he will hurt you.

Staringintothevoid616 · 06/01/2026 12:52

No run away. I regularly talk to men, in fact i regularly go on trips to concerts inc overseas with them. My DH doesn’t have an issue with this because he’s not a controlling abusive wanker! Get rid!

ladyofshertonabbas · 06/01/2026 12:50

Get out before it becomes any more difficult. seriously. Do not ignore the flags.

AllIdoistidyup · 06/01/2026 12:49

Homegrownberries · 06/01/2026 10:02

Run.

Really fast.

Audhumla · 06/01/2026 12:49

arethereanyleftatall · 06/01/2026 12:47

I am worried for you op that you haven’t seen this for the immediate run away notice that it is. I wonder what other glaring signs that someone is abusive you would miss. That is no judgement, many of us weren’t given the tools in our childhood. You need to do a lot of reading before you try another relationship.

That's a good idea. I think Why Does He Do That? by Lundy Bancroft should be required reading for all teenagers, especially girls.

Dreamin4685 · 06/01/2026 12:48

Can only echo other posters and say leave him. None of my partners have ever asked to see my phone or accuse me of speaking to other men. It’s not normal behaviour.

arethereanyleftatall · 06/01/2026 12:47

I am worried for you op that you haven’t seen this for the immediate run away notice that it is. I wonder what other glaring signs that someone is abusive you would miss. That is no judgement, many of us weren’t given the tools in our childhood. You need to do a lot of reading before you try another relationship.

Audhumla · 06/01/2026 12:46

Leave him and the next time (if there is one) a boyfriend asks you to cut people out of your life to make him more comfortable, refuse. It will save time.

Bestwishes23 · 06/01/2026 12:42

OverlyFragrant · 06/01/2026 10:03

Sounds like he's the one with inappropriate social media ex contact, and he's deflecting.
Massive red flag, end things now.

Came to say the same thing. This behaviour won't stop but will keep escalating. End it, OP.

Pashazade · 06/01/2026 12:41

I’m just going to join the chorus. End it, now. He doesn’t get to control who you are friends with and he certainly doesn’t get to look through your phone.

Bluffinwithmymuffin · 06/01/2026 12:38

OP, if you ever come back to this thread you’ll see that literally everyone’s telling you to end this relationship immediately and don’t look back. It’s a story as old as the hills, and the sad truth is, men like this never change. Never. They just get worse.

ClawedButler · 06/01/2026 12:30

Your instincts are spot on.

They're screaming at you that this is wrong.

His paranoia and insecurity are NOT YOUR PROBLEM TO SOLVE.

EcoChica1980 · 06/01/2026 12:27

Of course you are allowed privacy and throwing things in anger is crossing a huge line.

KimberleyClark · 06/01/2026 12:23

Run

My boyfriend is paranoid that I'm chatting inappropriately with other men on social media.
BooksandCats123 · 06/01/2026 12:20

Not normal at all and it will
only get worse.
You are his girlfriend not his therapist or emotional punch bag.
Dump, dump , dump!

MeridianB · 06/01/2026 12:20

FOJN · 06/01/2026 10:13

If he's throwing things around because you won't show him your phone at 9 months there will be far worse to come. I'd be surprised if this man doesn't have a history of DV. You need to leave him now. End the relationship somewhere safe, either in a public place or over the phone. Never be on your own with him again. You will save yourself years of trauma if you act now on the advice you are being given.

Every word of this. He’s trying to control you and is now starting the abuse. End it safely.

SnowflakeSmasher86 · 06/01/2026 12:20

Snorlaxo · 06/01/2026 12:19

The others are right, you need to run.

Showing your phone won’t cure his paranoia. When he finds nothing, he will tell himself that you’ve deleted the evidence, have a second phone or secondary SM account. It will get worse with time and you’ll find yourself scared to do anything because you know he’ll kick off. He’ll interpret your fear as guilt.

Plus you know that he accusing you of this because he’s done this while in a relationship too?

Edited

Spot on!

Fitzcarraldo353 · 06/01/2026 12:19

GCAcademic · 06/01/2026 11:47

But even if that throws up nothing whatsoever, he is still a controlling bastard well on the way to being an emotional and probably physical abuser.

Exactly. OP doesn't need to do a Clare's Law request as his current behaviour is NOT ok. She doesn't need further evidence or permission to walk away.

SnowflakeSmasher86 · 06/01/2026 12:19

Please note that the 5% currently that say you are being unreasonable only mean that you’re unreasonable not to leave him. Nobody honestly believes this is ok behaviour. Throw the whole man in the bin.

Snorlaxo · 06/01/2026 12:19

The others are right, you need to run.

Showing your phone won’t cure his paranoia. When he finds nothing, he will tell himself that you’ve deleted the evidence, have a second phone or secondary SM account. It will get worse with time and you’ll find yourself scared to do anything because you know he’ll kick off. He’ll interpret your fear as guilt.

Plus you know that he accusing you of this because he’s done this while in a relationship too?

TreeDudette · 06/01/2026 12:18

InterestedDad37 · 06/01/2026 10:22

🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩
He's standing in a field full of red flags, waving a massive red flag, and with another red flag stuck up his arse
🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩
End the relationship now, and continue to be friends with whoever you want to be. Nobody ever has the right to restrict your friendships, whatever your relationship status.

Absolutely this!

ShawnaMacallister · 06/01/2026 12:16

This is not a good relationship.

GingerPubes · 06/01/2026 12:16

If you're exclusive then he has to trust in that and put all this behind him. If he can't do that then this will become a bigger problem.

OnlyAfterwards · 06/01/2026 12:16

You're only being unreasonable to stay with him! Bin him, OP.