Here’s a new term for all singletons who are trying to navigate their way through the online dating scene. And we’re pretty sure that at some point in time you have been a victim of it or maybe, been there, done that yourselves (we’re hoping not).

The term is kittenfishing, coined by Hinge, a dating app, which is all about presenting yourself in an unrealistic way at online dating sites. This is quite different from catfishing, when you’re pretending to be a totally different person you actually aren’t.

According to Hinge, Kitten Fishing is more about putting up dated profile pictures (or heavily edited ones which are unrealistic) going to the point of lying about your age, height, or even accomplishments.

This may also include adding photos which are strategically angled while its text or caption has been ghost written by a friend or an acquaintance. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? 

According to a survey of the app’s users, 38 percent of men and 24 percent of women have been kittenfished through dating apps, which makes it quite a common phenomenon in the online dating world. 

Well, all we have to say is that kittenfishing is problematic because it is an attempt to begin a relationship on a lie, which isn’t really a great way to begin in the first place. So be careful at how you present yourself, or perceive others online, because as they say, all’s not what it seems in today’s times.