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'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.