Personally, I won't ghost someone. I just think it's kind of a "sucky" thing to do. If I am chatting with someone and the convo goes stale or I'm just not feeling it, I will politely say so and wish them luck finding someone "cool to hang with" is what I say. I have had two guys, so far, "ghost" me after having lengthly convos (over the course of a week or longer) and even a phone convo with one. Things seemed decent, the convos flowed nicely, the guy I spoke to on the phone was great! We spoke for two hours, laughed, had a lot in common. We texted back and forth another week and then...radio silence?! No reason - that I know of? I mean, we are adults...maybe we should act like it and let the other person know? I just don't see why it is so unreasonable to expect a simple common courtesy - especially if you've been "talking" for a length of time.

I have never been "ghosted" nor had a man "ghost" me.

It is extremely rude to disappear from someone's life without a word.

Seems to me that if somebody I have never met in person goes silent, that's a pretty broad hint. Maybe I don't get emotionally attached easily. I lay my cards on the table and if there's something they see that they don't like, the time to exit is obvious. I get lots of private messages. If a message sparks suspicion or does not spark interest, I am polite and very brief, much as I would be in person at a party or club. Most guys get the hint. I've only once had to adamantly tell someone they need to shove off. If somebody seems interesting, I say so. It doesn't have to be a romantic interest to be interesting, either.

It is tempting to ghost someone.. but as you said, if you have any empathy you know it can be harmful..
Ghosting , catfishing, using people for one-night-stands (without being upfront about it).. etc , etc, is what makes the modern dating horrible as it turns everyone bitter. The good ones leave and the bad ones stay.

I try to act early and honestly. A severely hateful backlash, filled with plausible threats or worse can make one think twice about saying anything, though.

I've always been upfront. Communication is one of my strong points. What I constantly work on is thinking before I speak to make sure it comes out how I wanted it.

I think I've only ever ghosted one woman who couldn't take no for an answer.