What Is Ghostlighting, The New Toxic Gen Z Dating Trend?
If you see the signs, it's better to distance yourself from them. Read on for more.
It’s still an understatement to say that relationships and dating have become the most difficult parts in a person’s life, today. Relationships or just navigating dating life has become so complex that most of us simply want to avoid it, which is really sad. And to add on to that, there are news kinds of trends entering the market regularly. Most of it, are just toxic. While we’re at it, there is a new Gen z dating trending being discussed these days and it is called Ghostlighting. The term is self-explanatory but let us break it for you. Read on.
What Is Ghostlighting?
To understand this term, first let us tell you the two trends that have already been going around since a while. They are called, Ghosting and Gaslighting. Ghosting basically means when a person, who you see as a potential partner and talk to on a regular basis suddenly disappears from your life. They pull this move without telling you or giving you any kind of explanation. It’s like one fine day, they get up and decide to “Ghost” you which is like completely cutting off from you, suddenly!
On the other hand, Gaslighting, a very commonly used trick in toxic relationships means that your partner always ends up convincing you that YOU are problem, and they do this with their smooth manipulative tricks. They make you believe that you are overreacting and dismiss your side of the story.
Now, Ghostlighting has surpassed all of this in becoming the most toxic Gen Z trend. Ghostlighting means when a partner suddenly disappears from your life without you having any clue about it, which basically means, they ghost you. However, there is twist here. In Ghostlighting, they also come back in your life suddently and act that nothing happened. In such case, the partner holds no kind of accountability and behaves like they are not answerable for they behaviour.
As per a TOI report, Psychologist Fatima Alam stated that Ghostlighting can also make one question their memories of feeling bad, and doubting themselves. In Ghostlighting, the partner comes back suddenly, making everything seem normal and manipulating you to believe they never left.
Also Read: What Are The 5 Daily Rituals You Can Follow To Strengthen Your Marriage?
Well, it’s better to see for early signs. If your partner constantly keeps avoiding accountability or has the habit of not being consistent in a relationship, then it’s better to take a strong decision beforehand.
First Published: August 06, 2025 9:06 AM
