Conventional etiquette says breakups should always happen in person, and for established, serious relationships, that's generally right — someone who's built a life with you deserves a real conversation, not a paragraph they read alone. But the rule gets applied too broadly to situations it wasn't really designed for.
Early-stage relationships — a few dates, a short-lived situationship, someone you met through an app and have seen twice — don't carry the same obligation. A clear, respectful text (“I've enjoyed getting to know you, but I don't think this is the right match for me”) is a legitimate and even considerate way to close things out, especially compared to the alternative many people choose instead: silence.
Text also becomes the more responsible option in situations involving safety concerns, a history of volatility, or a partner prone to pressuring you out of a decision in person. Prioritizing your own safety and clarity over an etiquette rule is not a character flaw.
What actually matters, more than the medium, is whether the message is clear, respectful, and final — not vague, not cruel, and not something that leaves room for a debate. A well-written text beats a badly handled in-person conversation. The format is less important than whether you gave the other person a real, honest answer.