Sometimes they can be fun and exciting, leading to genuine connections and lasting love.

But, other times, they can bring out some seriously sketchy behavior.

And were not talking about cheesy pickup lines, cringe-worthy bios, or shirtless gym selfies.

Beyond these harmless quirks are sometoxic behaviorsthat can leave us feeling hurt, confused, or frustrated.

Ghosting

Ghostingis essentially when someone suddenly cuts off all communication without any explanation.

Theyve suddenly vanished, like a ghost.

Ghosting can be incredibly hurtful.

It leaves you feeling rejected, confused, and wondering what you did wrong.

Breadcrumbingis when someone gives you just enough attention to keep you hooked butnever actually commitsto anything.

Breadcrumbing can be incredibly frustrating because youre unsure of where you stand with the person.

Ultimately, you waste a lot of emotional energy waiting for something thats never going to happen.

This behavior gives you less than you deservesay goodbye!

While it might seem flattering at first, love bombing is a manipulative tactic used to gain control.

It often leads toemotional manipulationor disappointment when the person pulls away just as suddenly.

Benchwarming

Benchwarmingis when someone keeps you as a backup option while pursuing other people more seriously.

This can leave you feeling manipulated and questioning your own perception of the situation.

This behavior is dishonest and disrespectful to both the person theyre dating and to you.

Negging

Negginginvolves givingbackhanded complimentsor subtle insults.

Negging is a form ofemotional abusethat can chip away at yourself-worthand make you feel insecure.

Trolling can be deeply upsetting, making you feel humiliated, attacked, and even unsafe.

Bullying

Cyberbullyingcan occur on any digital platform, including dating apps.

Bullying on dating apps is very common unfortunately and tends to happen early on, says Dr. Romanoff.

When you experience dating-related trauma, dating apps can feel like a negative, scary, and dangerous place.

Bullying can cause people to experience immense shame, says Dr. Romanoff.

While you cant control how others behave, you’ve got the option to control how you respond.

Remember, you deserve to be treated with respect.

Set boundaries, swipe smart, stay safe, and protect your peace at all costs.

Dont settle for anything less than you deserve.

2023 Nov 2;13(11):903. doi:10.3390/bs13110903