Welcome to my blog, folks! Today we’re going to talk about a topic that I’m pretty sure everyone can relate to: ghosting. Ghosting is the act of suddenly and abruptly cutting off all communication with someone, with no explanation. It can happen in any stage of a relationship, from a first date to a long-time friendship. But in the digital age, ghosting has taken on a whole new meaning. Let’s dive in and explore how social media has changed the game when it comes to ghosting.

1. The rise of online dating has made ghosting even more common.

Thanks to dating apps like Tinder and Bumble, meeting new people has never been easier. But with that convenience comes the increased risk of being ghosted. It’s easy to swipe left on someone’s profile or ignore a message when you’re hiding behind a screen. And when the initial connection is made online, it can be even easier to disappear without a trace.

A screenshot of a Tinder profile with the swipe options visible

2. Social media has made it easier to stalk someone after they’ve ghosted you.

Back in the day, if someone stopped returning your calls, it was pretty much impossible to find out what happened to them. But with social media, it’s all too easy to see when someone has been active and just not responding to you. This can feed into feelings of obsessive checking and even lead to cyber-stalking. Not good.

A person staring at their phone while lying in bed, looking upset

3. It’s harder to tell if you’ve been ghosted or if someone is just busy.

Back before texting and social media, if someone didn’t return your call or show up to your plans, you knew pretty quickly that you’d been ditched. But now, it’s not always clear whether someone is ghosting you or just busy. Maybe they saw your message but didn’t have time to respond. Or maybe they’re dealing with something in their personal life that’s taking up all their attention. It can be hard to know what’s going on.

A person typing on their phone, looking worried

4. Ghosting can happen to anyone, at any time.

While ghosting is most often associated with romantic relationships, it can happen in any context. Maybe you thought you had a great job interview, but then the company never called you back. Or maybe a new friend suddenly stopped returning your texts. The point is, ghosting can leave you confused and hurt, no matter who it’s coming from.

A person sitting alone on a park bench, looking dejected

5. Social media has given us new ways to actually confront someone who’s ghosted us.

While it can be tempting to just block and delete someone who’s ghosted you, sometimes it’s better to actually talk to them about what happened. Thanks to social media, we now have more ways to reach out to people than ever before. Maybe a direct message on Instagram or a message on LinkedIn is the best way to get in touch. Either way, it’s worth a shot.

A person holding their phone, with text bubbles visible on the screen

And with that, we’ve come to the end of our exploration of ghosting in the digital age. I hope this blog has been helpful and maybe even a little entertaining. Remember, even though ghosting can feel terrible, it’s important to remember that it’s not necessarily about you - it’s about the other person’s inability to communicate. Stay strong, my friends! 👻💪

A person looking confused and overwhelmed, surrounded by floating emojis of phones, computers, and social media icons