SIGNATURE MOVES: Calling you by the nickname you hate; sharing an embarrassing photo of you on social media; claiming you’re being “too sensitive” when you get offended by their so-called jokes. “I had this friend who teased me about everything: my hair, my clothes, my actions, my opinions. I asked her to stop, but she would say, ‘Aww, I didn’t mean it, you know I love you.’ But I didn’t,” says Sarah, 15.
WHY IT’S TOXIC: A good friend can help us laugh at ourselves. But being funny isn’t a get-out-of-jailfree card for saying mean things, and if a friend truly cares about you, they’ll stop when you say “enough.” “Sometimes, people will make a horrible comment to a friend under the facade of a joke,” explains Way. “But it’s still hurtful.”
HOW TO DIAGNOSE IT: Teasing isn’t always toxic, but it’s up to you to decide how much you’re comfortable with. If you tell your friend that something they said crossed a line, they need to respect your boundaries . . . no matter how many lolz they get.