What is ghosting?
Ghosting refers to the sudden loss of contact on all channels – without an explanation being given. The phenomenon was first described in the United States and seems to be becoming more common in the digital age. Experts observe this behavior especially in online dating. But ghosting can also occur in permanent relationships, friendships or even at work.
It’s always been the case that people suddenly go underground and are no longer heard from. However, with digitization, new ways have been created to disappear from the scene in just a few seconds. An estimated 20 percent of Germans have been victims of ghosting – women as well as men.
Ghosting while dating: Sudden loss of contact
Around 63 percent of Germans have already used a dating platform or dating app. Services like Tinder, Bumble, Lovoo and Parship are becoming increasingly popular – especially since the outbreak of the corona pandemic. In the lockdown, the number of registrations increased many times over.
Going online to find a partner has advantages:
- In a matter of seconds, contact can be established with people whom one might not have met in the physical world.
- A pre-selection can also be made using various filters and settings. This should increase the probability of finding a suitable partner.
But what also comes with online dating is the ability to block the other person with just a few clicks. This usually occurs during the getting-to-know-you phase: You have already met a few times, communicate regularly online and suddenly: radio silence.
No conflict, no clarifying conversation, no farewell. The ghosted person usually remains at a loss and wonders what happened. There is no chance of a debate.
Ghosting in relationships and friendships
It is particularly stressful for ghosting victims when they are being ghosted by a person with whom they previously had a close relationship. In some cases, even in long-term relationships or friendships, there is a sudden, one-sided break in contact without explanation. Ghosting mainly takes place in long-distance relationships in which partners are not directly integrated into each other’s lives and have little choice but to accept the quiet end of the relationship.