A new dating trend is beginning to emerge, but a relationship expert has warned it could be ‘misleading’ for singletons.

While the concept is not necessarily new, it seems to be becoming a popular pattern on dating apps.

Relationship expert Sidhharrth S Kumaar has shed some light on the trend and issued a warning to those dating about why it might not be the most healthy thing for any future relationship you embark on.

A new dating trend is emerging (Getty Stock Images)

The new dating method in question, titled ‘throning’, sees people place more value on a potential partner’s social status rather than their personal qualities.

It’s predicted that throning will be one of the big dating trends in 2025, but a relationship expert has warned to stay mindful if a partner appears to be throning.

Status-based dating can see people seek partners who may be more desirable than themselves, and while this provides temporary validation, the connection often lacks the depth and respect needed to make it go the distance.

Kumaar described throning as ‘dating someone who, via association, enhances your reputation and ego’, reports Hindustan Times.

Throning could be considered to be a modern spin on the classic gold-digging approach, as social currency is now considered as significant as financial wealth.

While expanding your social circle isn’t necessarily wrong, disguising your efforts to do as romance is ultimately misleading.

“The motivation behind throning often stems from a desire for social validation, access to exclusive social circles, a boost in self-esteem, and increased social media influence,” relationship expert Kalpana Singh stated.

Throning can have a long-term impact on relationships as the initial connection may not be genuine.

The dating landscape is predicted to change in 2025 (Getty Stock Images)

Throning isn’t the only dating trend predicted to emerge for the 2025 dating scene, as new patterns such as ‘loud dating’ and ‘No-Habiting’ are tipped to begin next year, a survey commissioned by dating app Plenty of Fish revealed.

‘No-Habiting’ is described as choosing to wait a while to move in with your partner due to valuing your personal space. In contrast, another trend, dubbed ‘swamping’, sees you find someone to comfortably share your ‘swamp’ with, and be your true authentic self.

‘Loud-dating’ sees people cutting straight to the chase and being open so they don’t waste any time, while ‘Fine-wining’ sees daters actively seek out somebody older than them.

There’s also ‘Marmalading’, where you put your other half before anything else, and ‘Digital Ex-pression’, which sees you turn to social media after a break-up to show off how you’re healing and ready to date again.

Fiscal attraction is also tipped to be a dating trend next year, with singletons determined not to settle for less and find a partner who matches them financially and who is attractive.

The dating game is hard enough in this day and age, strewn with all manner of obstacles to dodge.

And in a world where most of the interactions we have with any potential partner are online, the pitfalls are much deeper and much harder to spot.

You only have to take the vast number of dating terms we have these days as evidence of that – everywhere you look, someone is being ‘ghosted‘, ‘benched,’ or ‘breadcrumbed‘.

In short, it’s a brutal world out there, and you’ve got to be ready for anything.

Well, on that note, we have a new term doing the rounds, and the chances are you might do it yourself and have no idea about it: phubbing.

Mindful Media /Getty

What is phubbing?

You may think you’re a top class dater, but ‘phubbing’ is something you may do without realising.

The word is a mix between ‘phone’ and ‘snubbing’, and in this phone obsessed society, everyone’s probably been guilty at least once.

The group chat is more than likely popping off during dates, as the gang are wondering how things are getting on. However, those who go to respond are unknowingly ‘phubbing’ their date/partner, and there’s a reason it needs to stop.

In short, anytime you’re ignoring the human in front of you for your phone screen, you’re a culprit of ‘phubbing’.

Getty Stock Photo

How phubbing is damaging relationships and lives

As well as being kind of rude, ‘phubbing’ is also having a damaging effect on relationships, according to one study.

The study’s authors explained: “The phenomenon of phubbing, which hits individuals’ social interactions, is an important risk factor for romantic relationships.

“In other words, partners’ being too busy with their smartphones during their romantic relationships harms relationship satisfaction and perceived romantic relationship quality.”

But that’s not all; as well as romantic satisfaction, phubbing can have a negative effect on life satisfaction too. This means, phubbing could be making your partner more miserable in their day to day life too.

The paper went on: “The results… indicate that partner ‘phubbing’ had a significant indirect effect on life satisfaction through perceived romantic relationship quality and relationship satisfaction.

“These results reveal that relationship satisfaction and perceived romantic relationship quality decrease in individuals who are exposed to partner phubbing behaviours, and that decreased relationship satisfaction and romantic relationship quality harm life satisfaction.”

So, next time you think about reaching for that phone on a date, think again.

Dating is a hard road to navigate, especially when you don’t know what hidden red flags are.

Thankfully, a relationship expert has come out to share her seven red flags that after often mistaken by women as green flags in relationships.

Kelsey Wonderlin, a dating coach and therapist, explained that there are some major things you need to be looking out for, otherwise it could be detrimental in the future.

Here’s what you need to be wary of, according to Wonderlin.

He’s charming and chases you

The expert said that anyone trying to ‘woo’ a partner is a red flag, even though there are a lot of women who like to be wined and dined on dates.

I mean, there’s a whole genre on booktok (TikTok book videos) where women love to be pursued by a hotty.

Dating red flags could be so innocent at first. (Getty Stock Images)

He talks about the future early on

Okay, so maybe you don’t want a man planning your wedding and talking about having kids on the first or second date.

If it’s a general conversation about what you’d like to see happen in the future, nonspecific to the woman he’s sitting across from, sure.

But not like, ‘our kids would be so cute’, because that’s a lot.

He doesn’t let you pay for anything

Mm, Wonderlin might lose a chunk of followers for this.

While having the man pay for the meal is something that some ladies enjoy as it feels more ‘traditional’, splitting the bill is probably the best way to go.

She explains that this shows you aren’t something to be won over.

So, gifts, meals and any freebies are a no from her.

Paying for your food is apparently a red flag. (Getty Stock Images)

He is courting you

Courting is a very traditional saying, and while again, many enjoy that aspect, Wonderlin states that ‘courting can distract both parties from focusing on the deeper qualities that are important for discerning if you’re truly compatible: emotional maturity, core values.’

She said courting can ‘indicate a lack of healthy relationship skills’ or lack of intelligence.

“Healthy relationships don’t begin this way. They begin with both people putting in effort and genuinely getting to know each other rather than wooing each other. Sometimes, ‘courting’ even hides love bombing,” she added.

He wants to ‘lead’ you

Leading is great as a boss, but as a boyfriend? It’s not what you want.

This could create an unhealthy dynamic or power imbalance.

She explained: “When one person leads in a dynamic, BY DESIGN, one person leads and one person follows.

“Think about the areas of life we use the term ‘lead’ – A boss. A superior. One person in a position of power over another.

“In equal partnership, we lead ourselves & LEAN on each other at times. We divide up tasks based on our preferences & strengths. But EACH partner does this & it’s discussed as a TEAM.”

He might pile you with affection. (AntonioGuillem / Getty Images)

His life is ‘incomplete’ without you in it

Yikes.

While it’s nice to know that someone is infatuated by your presence and you become so ingrained into their lifestyle, it shouldn’t be incomplete.

A person who has their life sorted out on their own is always attractive.

He wants to see you all the time

Seeing each other for regular dates is fine, but daily outings can lead to you becoming separated from your friends and family quickly and without you knowing.

She warned abusive relationships involve a heavy period of ‘wooing’ at the beginning.

So, while you think he’s just in need of some extra time with you, he might be planning a way to isolate you instead.

Of course, many people were up in arms about this advice, especially men who began bashing feminism (sigh) and women for being too picky.

However, some women and men agreed with Wonderlin, sharing that it could be a controlling mechanism or someone who is insecure who displays these traits.

Don’t worry, just because you clicked on this article it doesn’t mean your relationship is over.

But according a dating expert, there are five signs that are worth keeping an eye on.

‘Relationship and break up’ specialist Paige Moyce provides a combo of ‘neuroscience’ and ‘holistic psychology’ techniques to her clients to help them successfully move on from their toxic partners.

Having racked up a following on social media, in her recent video she has opened up on the reasons why you shouldn’t stick around in a relationship.

Relationships can be tough to end. (Getty Stock Images)

1) Staying together for the wrong reasons

If you’re staying in a relationship for reasons other than happiness, then this could be a bad sign.

“Maybe you’re staying for the kids, maybe you’re staying because you fear being alone or you don’t want them with anyone else,” she explained on her TikTok page (@paigemoyce).

“Maybe you’re staying because you are scared of what it would look like to leave, or you don’t want to hurt that person.”

Happens should come first, the expert says.

2) When communication turns into conflict

This is when trying to have a normal talk regularly transitions into an argument.

Paige said: “All this does is drive a bigger and larger wedge between you and this person. If our needs are not being met, then how long is this relationship going to last for?”

3) Loneliness

If you feel like you’re fighting a battle all on your own, then this could be a sign that your relationship might be coming to an end.

“Just because we are physically with someone, doesn’t mean we are emotionally with them. If you’re honest, when was the last time you felt special in this relationship?” Paige adds.

“When was the last time you felt valued?”

The expert advises people to stay together for the right reasons and not the wrong ones. (Getty Stock Images)

4) Selflessness

Being selfless is one of the more admirable qualities, however, if this becomes too much of a regular occurrence then there’s a chance you’re forgetting the most important person – you.

“You have put this person before you so many times that it is now normal to do so, but now you don’t know what you want,” Paige said.

“Because you have prioritised the other person, you are now left wondering what it is that you want, which can leave you feeling overwhelmed.”

5) Magic wand opportunity

If someone gave you a magic wand and your relationship would be over with no fuss, would you do it?

“If someone could guarantee that you could get through it, that it wouldn’t be hell, that you would be happy again, that you would meet someone else and that would be confident again, you would take it,” the expert concludes.

If you’re experiencing distressing thoughts and feelings, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is there to support you. They’re open from 5pm–midnight, 365 days a year. Their national number is 0800 58 58 58 and they also have a webchat service if you’re not comfortable talking on the phone.