Every Dating Red Flag That Black Internet Agrees On — And a Few We Still Fight About
Social media often makes dating feel like an impossible social exam. Between endless online conversations and group chat horror stories, it's no wonder many feel constantly on edge. Everywhere you look, something is labeled a red flag, leaving us wondering: what isn't one?
Dating red flags are usually subtle—but sometimes unmistakable—signs that someone's behavior or their interactions might lead to confusion, chaos, or heartbreak. For example, a man wearing a dangling cross earring, a new love interest wanting to move in after just two dates, or a pregnant woman going out with someone who isn’t the father—these are clear warnings.
We've seen more red flags than the six flags amusement park everyone visits after prom. You might get a text from a friend explaining why she declined a first date at The Cheesecake Factory because it didn’t "fit her aesthetic." Or hear about someone’s friend angry because their date refused to split the bill evenly. It's enough to make you sigh.
“Getting back into dating is wild,” content creator Jay Swift said in a video. “One red flag and I’m ghosting you, b***h.”
Social media is undeniably good at sharing the truth about dating red flags.
Author's summary: Social media shapes modern dating anxieties by spotlighting behaviors seen as red flags, highlighting how nuanced and tense dating experiences have become.