What is ‘spider-webbing,’ the latest toxic dating trend? 3 warning signs to beware of

What’s spookier than being ghosted? Being trapped in a sticky web of manipulation and toxicity.

Spider-webbing — a brutal concoction of manipulation tactics like breadcrumbing, gaslighting, love bombing and “therapy baiting,” or the veil of therapy attendance as a way to appeal to partners — is the latest dating trend that’s every single’s worst nightmare this cuffing season.

The perpetrator traps their partner in “an unstable and toxic relationship” while spinning their “web of deceit and manipulation” that often leaves the victim confused and hurt, Seeking’s dating expert Emma Hathorn told Metro.

The warning signs, which are often disguised as dazzling charm, sneak up on the unsuspecting victim, making it difficult to spot them right away.

Then, before they know it, they’re ensnared in a web of manipulation.

″Reasons as to why someone chooses to do this are usually very deep-seated and include insecurity, fear of rejection or abandonment, narcissism or a sense of entitlement, past traumas or experiences, and a lack of empathy or emotional intelligence,” Dr. Sarah Bishop, a UK-based clinical psychologist, told The Huffington Post.

Hathorn cautioned those potentially being spider-webbed to look out for excessive compliments or gifts, known as love bombing, or people who fluctuate between affectionate behavior and coldness, which is called breadcrumbing.

When confronted with their behavior, the spider-webber might employ gaslighting tactics — including the use of “therapy speak” — to bolster their mirage of innocence and place blame on someone else.

“Whatever affection they do show, it will often be used as a bounty to control or influence your behavior,” said Dr. Bishop.

In other words, it’s all trick — no treat.

“For example, they may blame their bad behavior on how much they love and care for you, rather than reflecting that they can choose whether to express their affection in a more healthy and balanced way,” Dr. Bishop noted.

But as the weather drops, singletons are fraught with desperation for a companion and could choose to look the other way when red flags present themselves.

“When we’re longing for companionship, we might overlook warning signs or compromise our boundaries to be in a relationship,” Dr. Bishop said.

“Manipulative people can take advantage of this vulnerability for their own benefit.”