Online dating is hard enough without having to wonder whether the person you’re chatting with is exactly who they say they are. We all want to make a good first impression, but somewhere between choosing flattering photos and crafting the perfect bio, some people start veering into a trend known as "kittenfishing." Kittenfishing is basically the baby version of catfishing. While catfishing refers to someone creating a completely fake online identity, kittenfishing involves making yourself appear more desirable in online dating apps, especially through the use of old or edited photos and inflated profile descriptions. Even though it may feel like the latest Gen Z slang, the term kittenfishing actually dates back to 2017. The term was coined by the dating app Hinge and popularized by its relationship expert Meredith Golden as a way to describe the little white lies people tell on dating apps. Maybe someone adds a couple of inches to their height or says they attended a prestigious university when they really just took a course there. Maybe they shaved a few years off their age or used heavily edited photos or pictures that were taken when they were in high school. That, my friends, is kittenfishing. How can you avoid being kittenfished? Watch for inconsistencies. If photos seem strangely dated, the stories don’t quite add up, or someone is weirdly reluctant to video chat or follow you on social media, those can be red flags. If you want to make sure you’re not accidentally kittenfishing yourself, honesty really is the best policy. Use recent photos, be truthful about your age, height and interests, and don’t undersell or oversell who you are. Overall, it’s part of proper dating etiquette.
