It was the boomerang heard round the world. A hair flip, a kiss, and the caption “Single” sealed the fate of Cardi B and Offset, hip hop's latest "It" couple.

As if that wasn’t clear enough, Cardi B followed up her Insta-story with a clear message to Offset that she wanted him out of her life.

Just like that, Cardi B broke the Internet and her relationship all at once.

But why?

How could Cardi B and Offset have gone from looking at wedding rings to breaking up over Instagram so quickly?

One theory stems from Snapchat. Last Thursday a fan snapped a video of South Africa’s Queen Twerk meeting Offset at the airport. It sounds like a casual, chance meeting when Queen Twerk says, “Hey, guys, look who I came across,” while Offset seems to shift his feet and pull away from her.

It could have been a chance meeting (except for the fact that she was also seen backstage at the Migos concert that night), but once the video was tweeted to Cardi B, things got heated.

Fortunately, their online breakup was short-lived but a few misinterpreted tweets could spell the end of your relationship if you’re not careful.

If you want to avoid a "Boomerang Breakup" like Cardi B, here are the lessons you need to learn about social media and relationships:

• KEEP YOUR FRIENDS CLOSE – If you have a public profile or you’ve accepted friends on social media that you’re not really friends with IRL, make sure you don't post anything you wouldn’t tell those friends/followers in person. Snapchat is temporary but screenshots last forever, so don’t say something publicly now that could hurt your relationship later.


• KEEP YOUR ENEMIES CLOSER – So you saw a suspicious pic of your boyfriend with another woman. So what? Did the woman in question comment on the photo? Did she use emojis with hearts? Did she like more than 3 of his recent pics? One photo should not necessarily be cause for alarm but a virtual trail of flirtation can’t be ignored.


• THOU SHALT NOT LURK – Nothing has caused more frustration for my dating coaching clients than social media “haunting,” people who view their pics but don’t actually message or call. This can happen in relationships too. However, if you see a photo that makes you mad, pick up the phone to call that person rather than message your frustration out to 11 million people.


• SHARING MEANS CARING – If you and your significant other are apart, tag him/her on what you’ve been up to. Snap him/her privately, and share meaningful moments from your day so you can stay connected even if you’re not physically together. That will keep someone else from coming between you.

By the way, Queen Twerk maintains that she is just a Migos fan who admires Cardi B and Offset’s relationship and would never come between them.

Love in the digital age ain’t easy. It seems that the "Bodak Yellow" rapper learned an important lesson from her Boomerang Breakup because, thankfully, within hours she was back on track with her man. 

Hopefully at the next sign of trouble, she won’t bring her Bronx girl to the party so early on and give us all the breakup scare of the year again.

Damona Hoffman is a certified dating coach and TV personality (from #BlackLove and A Question of Love on FYI TV). She gives weekly dating and relationship advice on The Dates & Mates radio show and podcast.