With the advent of a multitude of social media technologies over the last decade, that enable us to connect with others quickly and easily, a new descriptive term has arisen “ghosting”.

While ignoring contact attempts from others with whom you wanted to severe relations has long been a human behavior, ghosting adds the twist that you are being ignored but can see the object of your communication attempts continuing to connect with others.

Accidental or Intentional

This is not just you perceiving being ignored.  You can see they are present and chatting/responding to others.   Ghosting is a definite signal you have been cut off.

Normally, keeping in contact with someone is a two-way street, traffic needs to flow in both directions for it to be effective.  Ghosting ends that definitively.  A silent message is sent to you.

Social Media Dangers

Not only can you see that you have been ghosted but so can others.  What was once a private matter which you could deal with internally now becomes very public.

The ability to communicate with a broad audience rapidly and openly has many benefits, sending a message you no longer like or want to associate with someone is probably not one of them.

Returning the Message

When you have been ghosted by someone the opportunity presents itself to return the message.  Take a picture of yourself smiling and in a happy posture and send it with the text, “Nobody likes me anymore – Poor me, I’ll get over it”

The critical point here is don’t let ghosting depress you, it really is not about you but rather the insensitive and rude behavior of the ghoster.