Catfishing - Lies to oneself and others

Catfishing is a largely modern phenomenon. Hardly something Sartre could have predicted but nevertheless seems to be a great representation of a lie to oneself. Catfishing involves an ignoring of one’s reality that goes beyond trying to transcend it. While normally such a thing would be easily observed by any observer technology allows the one acting in bad faith to avoid detection. Catfishing has become pretty popular whether in jest or in unwise attempts at finding love. It leads to many moral questions such as lying, manipulation, and wasting someone’s limited lifetime. Sometimes catfishing can take over a year of someone’s life and that is thievery of one of the most limited resources of all. However many people have been catfished or have been doing the catfishing. Most people do it to their friend for maybe a few days or a week at a time just to get a good laugh at their expense. Perhaps this is largely harmless but much more severe cases occur that lead to real emotional damage. It’s quite apparent that catfishing is surely not a moral activity by anyone. The question is why does it happen then? Is it from an epidemic of low self-esteem? Seemingly not as most people have increasingly higher self-esteem contrary to popular belief. Are people simply more enabled by the internet? Or are people just curious and seeking an outlet for their creative mind? There are likely many correct answers. Is catfishing a serious problem or is it rare? The show on mtv Catfish makes it seem like it is very common. Many people feel betrayed on the show but some find forgiveness although this is rare. You’d think people would see that the chances of it working out in their favor are low. So why do you think so many people do this obviously immoral and hopeless exercise of bad faith?