Gen Z’s New Dating Trend ‘Floodlighting’ Explained—By A Psychologist

Forbes - Mar 13th, 2025

Floodlighting, a new dating trend popularized on TikTok, involves sharing deeply personal details early in a relationship to fast-track intimacy. Coined by psychologist Brené Brown, the term describes overwhelming someone with vulnerability as a form of testing rather than connecting. While some believe this accelerates closeness, it often leads to discomfort and emotional distance instead. Many engage in floodlighting due to underlying desires for connection, validation, or difficulty regulating boundaries. Recognizing the signs of floodlighting and opting for gradual self-disclosure can help foster healthier relationship dynamics.

This trend underscores a broader issue of oversharing driven by anxiety, attention-seeking, and social media addiction, as highlighted by a 2022 study in Psychological Reports. It disrupts the natural progression of relationships, which typically develop through gradual layers of self-disclosure. By pushing emotional depth too soon, floodlighting can create unbalanced dynamics and false intimacy. The story emphasizes the importance of building self-acceptance and emotional safety within oneself, allowing connections to develop naturally and mutually without the pressure of immediate emotional reciprocity.

Tik Tok Social Media Floodlighting Brené Brown Dating Trends Oversharing Emotional Intimacy

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.0

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article provides a clear and engaging exploration of the dating trend known as floodlighting, effectively explaining its concept and implications. While it offers practical advice and relatable examples, it lacks detailed sourcing and transparency, which affects its credibility. The focus on negative aspects creates some imbalance, and the absence of diverse perspectives limits a comprehensive understanding. Despite these weaknesses, the article remains timely and relevant, particularly for audiences interested in modern dating dynamics. Its potential to influence individual behavior and spark discussion is notable, though its broader societal impact is limited.

Accuracy

The story accurately describes the concept of floodlighting as a dating trend, aligning with expert opinions that it involves sharing personal details too soon to accelerate intimacy. The claim that Brené Brown coined the term is consistent with some sources, but specific references to her work on this topic are not provided. The story's reference to a 2022 study on oversharing aligns with general findings about social media behavior, though the exact study details are not cited. Overall, the article presents a truthful depiction of floodlighting but lacks precise sourcing for certain claims.

Balance

The article primarily presents the negative aspects of floodlighting, such as its potential to push people away and create false intimacy. While it acknowledges that floodlighting stems from a desire for connection, it does not explore potential positive outcomes or perspectives from those who might see floodlighting as beneficial. This focus creates a somewhat imbalanced view, lacking diverse perspectives on the practice.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear language to explain the concept of floodlighting. It provides relatable examples and scenarios to illustrate the trend, making it accessible to readers unfamiliar with the topic. The logical flow from defining floodlighting to discussing its implications and offering practical advice enhances comprehension. However, the article could improve by explicitly citing sources to support its claims.

Source quality

The article references psychological theories and studies to support its claims, suggesting a reliance on credible sources. However, it does not directly cite or link to specific studies or expert interviews, which diminishes the perceived reliability of the information. The lack of explicit sources or attributions makes it challenging to assess the authority and credibility of the claims presented.

Transparency

The article does not provide detailed explanations of the sources or methodologies behind its claims, such as the specific study on oversharing or Brené Brown's involvement in coining the term. This lack of transparency makes it difficult for readers to verify the information independently. The article could benefit from more explicit disclosure of its sources and the basis for its claims.