Ghosting can sometimes feel like a word from the dictionary of modern dating, but that’s not the whole story. It can take many shapes and forms: from friends and family to potential employers or even institutions. Yikes, right?

So, what is ghosting? Ghosting is defined as an abrupt ending of all communication with someone without giving them a reason or an explanation. The culprit quite literally becomes a ghost vanishing into thin air and refusing an opportunity for closure. Often, the ghoster will slowly – or suddenly – stop responding to your messages or calls, but sometimes it goes even further, resulting in them unfriending or blocking you on social media out of the blue.

Ghosting can have many core causes: growing out of a relationship, avoiding conflict, struggling with mental health. According to data, 84% of Gen Z and Millennials have been ghosted at some point in their lives. Nearly 2 in 3 in this demographic have ghosted someone else. So, if so many of us do it, is ghosting even that bad? What kind of consequences can it have, and how do we learn to communicate better? Should we even try?

Despite its popularity, ghosting continues to be quite divisive. On one hand, it can have a profound psychological impact on the one being ghosted, due to its abrupt and uncertain nature. It can sometimes leave the person on the receiving end feeling abandoned and insecure, especially if pre-existing attachment sensitivities are involved. Ghosting can create trust issues and make future friendships more difficult to navigate.

On the other hand, data shows that 86% of respondents feel relief rather than regret after ghosting someone they couldn’t bring themselves to talk to. Supporters of ghosting report that it can be a great tool in service of protecting personal boundaries. Ghosting can also prevent lengthy, emotionally draining discussions. Additionally, in situations when personal safety is at risk, it might be the only available option to leave a relationship unharmed.

So, ghosting isn’t great, but it’s also not the end of the world. The real answer lies in the context. Sometimes it’s a sign to move on, and other times it’s a wake-up call to choose connections with better communication. Either way, keep your head up and remember – you deserve people who show up for you and stay in your life.

Ghosting is a significant part of modern relationships. This is why it’s important to understand the reasons behind it, uncovering both sides of the story. With 66% of Gen Z and Millenials having an experience of ghosting someone, it’s safe to say a majority will decide to ghost somebody one time or another. So why do we ghost? The reasons are varied, but the most common ones are convenience, conflict avoidance, and the normalization of this behavior.

Relationships, sadly, sometimes end. Occasionally, it is because you’ve grown apart with your oldest friends, at times, it’s new friendships that do not fully work out for you. While it takes time and effort to end a relationship with another person, giving them time to process and ask questions, ghosting can prove an easy solution for those who seek convenience.

Let's face it – conflict is hard. Having to tell someone you don't want to be their friend anymore is even harder. Ending a relationship requires both people to be vulnerable and express feelings they'd rather keep hidden. Ghosting offers an easy escape from this vulnerability, effectively shutting down any potential conflict before it begins.

The rise of online spaces and relationships has significantly contributed to the normalization of ghosting. When engaging with others digitally, relationships can sometimes feel less personal and easier to drop. And then, there’s reduced accountability and lack of consequences for disappearing without explanation.

Let’s be real for a moment – you have probably been both the ghoster and the ghostee at some point in your life. Take a moment to reflect on why you ghosted someone. Was it simply an easy way out, or did you think you were sparing their feelings? While ghosting might sometimes feel like a natural response, remembering everyone's basic need for closure can help us move away from ghosting and build better online communication.

Ghosting can be hard to cope with, after all – it’s a form of rejection, albeit most often a digital one. It can bring about feelings of regret and shame, or even trigger a feeling of insecurity caused by lack of closure. Here at Yubo, we understand how ghosting can bring you down, so we’d like to offer you some simple tips on how to deal with being ghosted.

If you find yourself getting ghosted, it’s important to remember that it is not your fault. People ghost others for all kinds of reasons: a need to withdraw from a relationship without conflict, insecurity, emotional unavailability, or even burnout and stress.

While dwelling too long on a ghosting experience can be harmful, taking time to process it can be helpful. Give yourself space to reflect on all aspects of the friendship – the good, the bad, and the ugly. Focus on your side of the story – your own experiences. Likely you won’t ever get an explanation, but you can be responsible for your closure. If you need a ritual to help you process – write a letter you are not intending to send. After that, focus on moving forward.

While you might initially want to seek closure by repeatedly reaching out, doing so can hinder your healing. If you’re glued to their social media profile 24/7 or sit motionlessly for hours hoping for a text, start setting boundaries for yourself. Limit your screen time. You can even enable Focus mode on your phone – check out Yubo's guide on how to set this up. Unfollow or even block the person who ghosted you to avoid unnecessary reminders.

Spend some time engaging in activities that make you feel good. Self-care is great for boosting your confidence and helping to shift your focus. Rely on friends and family to help you with processing your emotions. Ask them to offer reassurance when you’re feeling down. 

After taking some time to reflect and grieve the relationship that has ended, try connecting with someone again. Maybe you could even meet new friends locally with Yubo's "Near You" feature! Remember: not everyone will treat you the same way. It can be hard to trust again after being ghosted, but don’t let it scare you away from pursuing new friendships.

So, maybe you’ve chosen ghosting to end relationships previously – no shame, it happens. Maybe couldn’t find the right words, panicked or just waited too long to respond and it just became awkward. But it doesn’t have to stay this way. If you’re up for levelling up your communication skills, here are some tips on how to get better at expressing your feelings in an honest and upfront way.

Firstly, practice a little! Try saying what you want to say without overthinking or overcomplicating it. Keep it short and real. A simple and effective sentence here would be something like “Hey, I don’t think this is working out, but I wish you the best.” It’s brief, and to the point and does not require a whole essay to communicate what’s at its core. If you need more ideas, check out this article on what to say instead of ghosting someone.

Next, prepare for it to get awkward. It doesn’t always have to be, but sometimes parting ways or setting boundaries can feel uncomfortable. It’s a lot like ripping off a Band-Aid. Don’t stall waiting for a better time – just do it as soon as possible after you’ve realised your relationship is not working for you.

Be mindful of your boundaries, too. Ghosting can feel like the only way because the other person isn’t respecting your space or decisions. If that’s the case, you can choose to say, “I need some space and won’t be able to keep talking.” No need to over-explain yourself. Try being upfront about your needs.

Lastly, celebrate your wins. When you’re choosing clear and direct communication over ghosting, give yourself a little pat on the head. Remember: you’re learning and growing. Don’t forget to give yourself credit for being real and taking care of your needs.

Communication is a skill that grows with practice. As you gain confidence, you'll be able to move past ghosting and engage with others more openly. Through honesty and empathy, you can build stronger connections and avoid the painful effects that ghosting often creates. When you end relationships respectfully and provide space for closure, everyone involved can have more meaningful experiences.

And as for those who ghosted you? They don’t get a say in your story. Use this experience as a chance to reflect on what truly matters in your relationships. You have the power to build healthy connections with clear communication. And if you're ready to start fresh, why not begin that journey by downloading Yubo today? 

Yubo’s Tips on Surviving the World’s Ghosting Epidemic

At Yubo, we believe safety and trust are the foundation of meaningful online connections. That’s why, long before lawmakers and government regulators around the world began to discuss requirements for age assurance on social platforms, Yubo became the first major social platform in the world to implement platformwide age verification. This proactive step reflects our safety-by-design philosophy and our commitment to creating a space where people can interact with one another safely. 

This week, we are commemorating the two-year anniversary of our September 2022 milestones of age-verifying for 100% of Yubo users in partnership with Yoti, the leading digital identity solutions provider. 

Here’s how our pioneering efforts are setting a new standard for online safety. 

Revolutionizing Safety with 100% Age Verification

In 2022, Yubo partnered with Yoti, a leader in facial age estimation technology, to take age gating – a feature that separates users into communities based on their age – to the next level. By the end of the year, Yubo required 100% of its users to verify their age. This made Yubo the first app globally to achieve this milestone.

Using Yoti’s privacy-preserving technology, age verification on Yubo works in seconds:

Users provide their birthdate upon sign-up or at their next login.

A live image is captured in-app and analyzed by Yoti.

The system verifies if the image matches the birthdate provided.

If the results are inconclusive, users can adjust their date of birth or submit an ID and another live image for manual review by Yubo’s Safety Specialists. Roughly 87% of users are able to successfully verify their age on Yubo at first attempt.

Yubo implemented platformwide age verification years ahead of key regulations in its major markets, including:

Recent age assurance bills in U.S. states like California, Utah, and Texas

Australia’s 2024 legislation requiring social media users to be 16 or older

This proactive approach showcases Yubo’s dedication to leadership in safety, not just compliance.

Survey Insights: How Users Feel Safer on Yubo

In October 2024, we asked over 10,000 users about their experiences with age verification:

79% said they feel safer on Yubo compared to other platforms because of age verification.

60% reported a positive impact on their overall app experience.

53% said it increased trust in the authenticity of their interactions.

By verifying user ages, we not only protect minors from inappropriate content and interactions but also enhance the experience for adults, who can confidently connect with peers without fear of misrepresentation.

Age verification doesn’t just safeguard users – it also reduces the prevalence of bots. By requiring live images, we’ve made it nearly impossible for automated accounts to gain access. In a survey of over 1,000 long-term users, 50% reported noticing fewer bot accounts since the rollout of age verification.

Bots are notorious for spreading misinformation, facilitating scams, and manipulating public opinion. By tackling this issue head-on, Yubo strengthens its position as a trusted platform for real connections.

Boosting Engagement and Community Quality

Age verification has also enhanced engagement and retention by ensuring users are grouped with peers in livestreams and profile swipes. Today, 70% of Yubo’s users are over 18, and they benefit from an environment tailored to their interests and preferences.

Among pre-2022 users, nearly one-third reported improved interaction quality thanks to age verification. These results highlight how trust and safety can drive user satisfaction.

Leading the Industry with Safety and Growth

Yubo’s proactive investment in age verification demonstrates that user safety and business success go hand in hand. By addressing the challenges of online safety before they became regulatory mandates, we’ve shown the power of innovation in building trust.

As Yubo co-founder and CEO Sacha Lazimi puts it:

“Our team is grateful for the opportunity to work with partners like Yoti to continually break ground in online safety innovation and provide young people with the level of safety they are entitled to online.”

At Yubo, we’re proud to be a global leader in online safety. By pioneering age verification, we’ve created a platform where users can feel secure, connected, and valued—today and for years to come.

You can access our case study with Yoti about facial age estimation on Yubo on Yoti’s website. 

How Yubo Pioneered 100% Age Verification to Set a New Standard for Trust & Safety on Social Media

As we approach 2024, Gen Z is gearing up for a celebration with a digital twist, adding some flair to their festivities with Yubo. 

Gen Z is turning to Yubo to elevate their celebrations. From virtual gatherings to live-streaming events, Yubo is definitely the go-to platform for welcoming the New Year. Yubo's real-time connectivity transforms screens into dynamic windows connecting friends in a way that's both cool and communal.

Yubo isn't just an app; it's like a digital playground where young people can show off their creative side. Cool challenges on Yubo make users share their New Year goals live, and fun filters turn regular videos into exciting, festive shows. When you mix Yubo into your New Year plans, it's like adding a digital spark to your creativity. Yubo makes sure meeting new friends and finding cool holiday content is a unique and fun experience that everyone can enjoy.

Let's talk resolutions, Gen Z style for 2024. 

Gen Z is not only fine-tuning their Yubo profiles but also optimizing their daily lives from privacy settings to screen resolutions, it's all about that chill upgrade.

Now, speaking of upgrades, how about a DigitalDetox?

Digital detox is all about consciously stepping away from screens and electronic devices for a set period. The goal? To dial down the stress, boost mindfulness, and amp up well-being by taking a break from the constant digital buzz. Whether it's just a few hours, a day, a weekend, or even longer – digital detox is your ticket to pause and engage in meaningful, offline activities. 

Think: soaking up nature, enjoying face-to-face chats, diving into a good book, or just practicing some good old mindfulness. It's a response to modern digital dependence, a way to kick back, reset, and build a healthier relationship with the digital world. Gen Z is thinking about kicking back and taking breaks to maintain that balance between the virtual and the real world. It's like hitting the refresh button on their digital habits.

And let's not forget about that Positive Influence. Gen Z is using its social impact on Yubo and beyond to spread positive vibes and engage in meaningful conversations.

So, by juggling on Yubo while maintaining positive vibes online, Gen Z is setting the stage for a laid-back and positive 2024. 

Let's kick off the virtual party and make every "move" on Yubo count for a memorable New Year!

Gen Z is gearing up for a Yubo-style New Year celebration, transforming screens into dynamic Yubo windows for virtual gatherings and real-time connectivity. Yubo, the social discovery app, and ultimate digital playground, sparks creativity with Yubo challenges and festive filters, making New Year's goals a live Yubo showcase. Beyond profile optimization, Gen Z embraces Yubo for a Digital Detox, balancing Yubo screen time with offline activities. Leveraging Yubo's positive influence, they spread good vibes and engage in meaningful Yubo conversations, setting the stage for a laid-back and Yubo-centric 2024.

Yubo Rolling into 2024 With Gen Z

2 minutes read

- Written by Yubo Team