People warned over terrifying 'Ben stage' dating trend that's 'ruined' lives

Navigating romance is like a minefield these days, and it’s only getting worse after singletons were warned about a new trend, known as the ‘Ben Stage’.

This trend has seen many people hop on board to weigh in on their experiences with it, and it’s not great.

We spoke to a relationship expert to finally get to the bottom of what the 'Ben stage' is and why everyone is so scared of it.

Take a peek:

Now, Bens are the ultimate villain online and TikTok have hundreds of thousands of videos talking about their own ‘Ben’.

So many women have decided to share their 'Ben Stage' warnings that it’s essentially a how-to-guide to dating.

Neve, is one such TikTok creator whose video has gone viral online.

The clip shows Neve shaking her head with the text caption reading: "Seeing any girl go through her 'Ben' stage".

So many people have had the same experience that it’s almost unheard of.

One person shared: "My Ben stage put me in therapy."

"The Ben stage is real," claimed a second.

A third chimed in: "My Ben stage ruined me."

We even spoke to someone who was candid about why it’s so horrid.

Maisie, 23, told Tyla: "We were in college, first year. He was in my English Lit class and I thought he was super cute and cool because he went to all the gigs and he was the indie boy that all the indie girls liked."

Then they went to a party that 'turned into basically Project X but in Wigan'.

The 'Ben stage' is prolific. (fizkes / Getty Images)

After Maisie and Ben partied for a bit, they then got 'kicked out' and did what any one of us would do - go to Maccies.

"Me and Ben went for a short walk and then he gave me a kiss," Maisie continued.

"We kissed and went back inside and he NEVER spoke to me again - ever."

However, Ben invited her to a gig the following day yet 'basically ran away from me every time I looked in his direction'.

When they finally spoke, he 'corrected [her] on an Arctic Monkeys lyric'.

She said: "Then we literally never spoke ever again. I learned never to be 16 again."

Why is this happening? We spoke to dating coach Hayley Quinn, who explained: "We all know what the 'Ben stage' is and now finally it has a name."

"The 'Ben stage' is all about being stuck dating one unsuitable, and unavailable guy after another," Hayley added.

The ‘Ben stage’ becomes so frustrating as it usually comes during 'a time in your life where you've identified that you want commitment, but every experience you have winds up in the same way'.

The 'Ben stage' will drive you nuts. (Flashpop / Getty Images)

Hayley pointed out that as 'Ben is a common man's name', so he’s likely to be on your list of men who’ve ‘ditched’ you.

Once you’ve been through your own experience, you’ll be ‘unable’ to tell whether a guy is a good option, or if he’s there to lead you on.

But, there’s something you can do: "If you're stuck in the 'Ben stage', you may feel disempowered in dating, and that you just have to keep enduring let down after let down, but this isn't actually the case.”

Instead, you need to start 'advocating for yourself in your relationships'.

Hayley advised: "If a guy says he's not looking for commitment (and you are) take him at his word and get out of there."

It might even be worse than getting Zombied, which singer-songwriter Mariel Darling said: "It’s like ghosting, but he comes back from the dead after a couple months and hits you up.”

I think I’ll pass.