'Banksying' is the terrifying dating trend that will scare you for life

Dating is already a minefield in 2026 but Banksying is the latest trend which might just put people off completely.

In an ever-evolving world, it's rare to find two people who enjoy a perfectly ordinary relationship with just each other and nobody else, with trends such as swinging and hotwifing all the rage right now. That's what I've heard anyway, which, to be fair, each to their own.

Perhaps thanks to the wonderful world of social media and content creators, folks may never be truly happy with their own relationships again, as comparison is well and truly the thief of joy and most people can't compete with the five-second glimpses we get into celebrities' lives and relationships.

So, while it's hard enough to get past the first date, even those in relationships are struggling to make things last, and the risk of heartbreak is unfortunately always a possibility when you enter the world of dating.

But, while things can sometimes end amicably, there are sadly more and more methods for people to call it a day, such as ghosting or even forming 'undead bonds'.

Break ups are never easy, but it seems these days they're not amicable either (Getty Stock)

And now Banksying is the latest break-up method, which is causing strife among young people putting themselves out there, with this particular trend taking its name from the mystery artist Banksy.

Essentially, it sees one partner blindside the other with a sudden departure, having likely planned it in their head for days, weeks, months or even years before.

Dating coach Amy Chan explains: “‘Banksying’ happens more now, especially with the proliferation of dating apps, where people have developed poor dating etiquette.

“The person withdrawing gets the ability to process the breakup on their own terms, before they hand the memo to the other person, who ends up being in total shock. It’s selfish. It shows a lack of emotional maturity and a way of dealing with conflict that is rooted in avoidance.”

Don't be like Banksy, when it comes to disappearing at least (Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

It is tricky as break-ups are often like this and nobody wants to be drip-fed or have their single status soft-launched, but it's also important to be honest with our partners about the way we are feeling, as staying quiet about issues for too long is never likely to end well.

Chan added: “They might not be using their words to tell you—but their actions are. They might lie and say everything is ‘fine,’ but you also have to exert that you’re not ‘fine’ because you can pick up the cues of emotional distance.

"Don’t gaslight yourself into thinking it’s OK to sweep the cold behaviour under the rug just because they’re saying everything is fine, but acting in a way that’s completely the opposite.”

The next time you plan to break-up with someone, put yourself in their shoes and do it nicely, or you might just put them off for life - and nobody really deserves that.