Kittenfishing: The Latest Fad in Online Dating

We don’t envy those who decided that this is the right time to jump into online dating, because they practically have to learn a second language. Phrases such as breadcrumbing, catfishing, benching or cushioning are thrown around by the community and every month a new fad appears. The current newcomer is ‘kittenfishing’, furthering the impression that all these phrases revolve around a pleasant afternoon in the park. However, the kawaii term hides a sinister phenomenon: kittenfishing is the diet cola version of catfishing, where singles make up fake identities to fool their partners. Although not as harmful, the lighter version may also lead to awkward moments and disappointment.

How to avoid it?

Since kittenfishing is basically a collection of white lies, it’s much harder to spot. While catfishers can be busted with a deep background search, chances are high the same trick won’t work with kittenfishing since 60-70% of their statements are true. People indulging in this activity often ask their friends to ghost write positive reviews on their profile page, further fueling this fake image. This rising trend has led to endless frustration within the dating community. Just imagine meeting your dream date for the first time, only to discover that they have packed on the pounds, is somehow 15 years older, has kids, or is even already married.