Cyberbullying is not harmless banter.It is not something people should “just ignore.” And it is not a personality flaw or a bit of online drama. It is a serious mental health issue — one that harms victims, corrodes perpetrators, and thrives in cultures that excuse cruelty as honesty or free speech.

Dating apps like Grindr are often framed as tools for connection, but they can also amplify harm, especially for Queer people navigating shame, racism, body hierarchies, rejection, and trauma. This blog uses the metaphor of cigarette warning labels to critically examine how app culture impacts mental health, self-worth, and intimacy. It questions what responsibility platforms hold, and how users can engage more consciously and safely.