One of the worst feelings that one may go through is rejection. However, what would make this rejection even worse is not knowing why someone has suddenly decided to cut ties. The use of social media and the smart phone has created new forms of rejection, especially amongst younger generations. One of these new forms is ghosting, something many college students may be familiar with.

The term “ghosting” means disappearing on someone like a ghost would—out of sight and with no warning. Ghosting can come in many forms, whether it is through texts, calls, email or social media—such as dating apps, Instagram and Twitter. Most people simply use the term ghosting as a way of saying that they’ve been cut off from someone, or have cut someone off without warning or an explanation.

Ghosting isn’t always a negative way of expressing lack of communication. Sometimes it is a simple way for someone to say that he or she hasn’t spoken to or seen someone in a while.

Ghosting can have a different interpretation for everyone. Some don’t see it as a problem while others feel that it is not the most mature form of rejection. Freshman Cheyenne Mion has never been ghosted, nor has she ever ghosted someone.

“In my opinion, I feel it’s kind of childish,” Mion said. “If you don’t want to speak to someone anymore you should just be upfront and tell them why.”

For her, ghosting means ignoring someone no matter how much they try to make contact. While Mion does feel that ghosting is somewhat immature, she believes there are some situations in which ghosting would be appropriate.

“If someone is being invasive, or not leaving you alone or harassing you, then I think ghosting is validated,” Mion said.

Senior Justin Cohan has had a similar experience to Mion, as he has never been ghosted nor has he ever ghosted someone. That said, he doesn’t think there is any situation where ghosting is the best option.

“I don’t think it’s very mature,” Cohan said. “I think you should always just tell a person when you don’t want to talk to them.”

Freshman Marianne Lopez defines ghosting as leaving someone and not talking to them ever again. Like Mion, she also feels that ghosting someone can be validated, especially if the person has done something wrong.

“I’ve never been ghosted, but I have ghosted people before though, just because the friendship wasn’t working out and I left it,” Lopez said.

Junior Rey Mitchell has experienced both sides of ghosting. He also feels that ghosting is a viable option if you are dealing with a situation that’s awkward or makes you feel bad.

Senior Gabriele Trace is another Iona student who has also ghosted and been ghosted by people before.

“Ghosting is when you’re talking to someone and then you’re just not into it anymore, so you ignore them, or they ignore you,” Trace said. “I have ghosted people before, because I’m too afraid to reject them or hurt their feelings.”

Senior Deron Chu says ghosting makes it difficult for the person to find out what happened to the relationship.

“You’re texting them one day and the next thing you know, they’re gone,” Chu said. “They could be mad at you and you wouldn’t know. Instead of talking about what was done wrong, and sorting it out, they choose to ignore the problem.”

While Chu has been ghosted, he says that he has never intentionally ghosted someone and feels that it is more mature to confront problems in a relationship directly.

The concept of “ghosting” is not entirely new, it has simply been changed from “rejection” or “ignored,” to fit the new way that people in today’s age express or explain something. For others, ghosting is a way of avoiding a problem or getting out of an awkward and uncomfortable situation. That said, because Iona students are part of the generation that has helped create this phenomenon through social media, it’s up to us to question whether or not it is the right thing to do.