Source: Giphy
Breaking up isn’t hard to do anymore. All you have to do is ghost and disappear. One minute you’re texting your steady girlfriend or boyfriend non-stop then suddenly they going MIA with no explanation. It’s simple, but oh so hurtful and I don’t recommend it.
Everyday I hear another story of someone who’s been ghosted, also known as ghosting, or the digital disappearing act. When it’s time to call it quits with your boyfriend or girlfriend, where have the manners gone?
Related: Ghosted for the First Time
One of our favorite online dating sites, Plenty of Fish, just released a survey of 800 singles 18-33, which showed that showing that 80% of these singles had been ghosted.
POF says, “Ghosting” seems to be the new trend when ending a relationship, with the majority of singles reporting getting dumped when the person they were dating suddenly cut off all communication with them, without explanation.”
What do do when you’ve been ghosted?
If you’re steady squeeze or digital crush disappeared, bid a fond farewell and get back on that dating saddle.
The good news from the POF survey on digital dating showed that millennials don’t skip a digital beat when this happens to them. Their report showed that 14.% surveyed wasted no time in getting back into the dating scene by scheduling multiple dates for one night. I’ve always said the best revenge is a life well-lived.
Related: Confused, Is He Ghosting?
Communication is Key
Part of the survey studied the attachment between millennials and their mobile phones. Millennials are so attached to their phones, it’s not surprising that 66% of respondents said their preferred method of communication with an online date is through text messaging, followed by only 14% preferring a phone call.
Mobile dating speeds up the process. The classic “three day rule” of waiting to call after a date has gone out the window with millennials. Now, 20% will contact someone the same day to follow up for a second date after a great first date. Almost half wait a day or two, while 15% don’t bother at all and wait for their date to reach out first. If you wait the full week, your date might forget your name by the time you call.
Overall, millennials have impacted and changed the dating game quite a bit, but at the end of the digital day, they’re still looking for love. That’s good news for all hopeful romantics. Over 1/4 of the respondents stated they check their dating app once a day, while others admitted to checking in at least 5 times a day.
So log on and keep those push notifications coming.
Wishing you much love and joy in cyberspace, or wherever you may roam.
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Julie Spira is America's Top Online Dating Expert. She's an award-winning dating coach who's been helping singles find love online for 25+ years. Follow @JulieSpira on IG.
Unfortunately, this isn’t just the way millennials break up, it’s the method of choice for cowards of all ages. It just happened to me with a man I was dating long distance for a year. We are both in our 40s. Apparently, maturity and good manners don’t always come with age.
I don’t understand how people can get right back to dating after this happens, unless you’re talking about people who get ghosted after only dating for a few weeks. When it’s something longer term with feelings involved, yes that kind of rejection may prove that the guy isn’t worth your time, but feelings don’t go away that easily. And ghosting hurts so much more than a regular break up. Dating others while you’re still hurting and confused about your last relationship isn’t fair to anyone.