How Do You Feel About Catfish?

Catfishing is when someone sets up a fake online identity and uses it to trick and control others.

I pretty much assume everyone on SW is not who they say they are. As long as we're enjoying the conversation and you are not trying to control me, I have no need to find out if you are who you say you are. I feel like I am probably in the minority on this.

I am really me. It's 2024, there are a million ways to verify. I would have no problem setting up a video chat so someone could know that I'm me. But ten years ago, I was stuck in a straight relationship I couldn't be fully present in. I was overwhelmed and miserable. I needed an anonymous space where I could escape and pretend to be someone else. That became the catalyst for me figuring out who I really am.

So I get it. I have a TON of grace for people pretending to be someone they are not. But please don't confuse me playing along with thinking I believe you.

What do you think about SWeeps pretending to be someone they aren't?

Aysel · F

While I acknowledge that some people may struggle with low self-esteem, catfishing isn't the ideal way to address it—what exactly does it do, and won't it only make you feel worse? It isn't you; it's someone else, and using someone else's identity is wrong in the first place. It betrays those who have taken the time to get to know you, and the damage to trust is severe.

Umile · 41-45, F

True. True. Didn't think about the false identity part. Why am I thinking more like a random picture from a catalog?