It seems that Generation Z, a cohort that was born and raised in the information age, is shunning online dating platforms in favor of in-person meet-ups. Local relationship experts say Gen Z’ers are turning away from virtual dating and increasingly prefer to meet potential partners organically, without using technology.
Interestingly, Millennials still prefer to use dating platforms such as Tinder and Hinge, while Gen Z is opting for more traditional means of dating despite being younger and ostensibly more internet savvy. Relationship expert and coach Ntombi Mthembu says there has been an upsurge in in-person interactions among Gen Z’ers as they become more open to meeting people naturally.
Dating apps have made it possible for people who ordinarily wouldn’t have met through friends, family or work to partner up, but they also contributed to a reduction in face-to-face meetups because the apps are more convenient and allow people to access a greater number of potential partners. With the coronavirus pandemic making in-person interaction even more unpopular, the assumption would be that Gen Z would also prefer to find their partners virtually.
However, it seems young people have grown tired of using dating apps and are now in search of deeper connections. Public spaces such as parks and coffee shops in cities are seeing a surge in young people who are meeting and interacting with new acquaintances as Gen Z grows more disillusioned with online dating. A joint experiment between Weekend Witness and several top dating platforms found that Millennials (people aged 28 years of age and older) made up the majority of dating-app users.
According to Mthembu, the findings indicate that most Millennials turned to online dating during the pandemic because it was the only feasible means of meeting new people. They got used to the convenience it offered. Some Millennials prefer to use dating platforms to avoid potential scams and criminal activity as well as to save money.
Online dating can be especially helpful in lowering dating costs because it allows people to get to know each other without having to go out. However, Gen Z is still going out there in increasing numbers to meet new people and find partners in person. Gyms, coffee shops and parks are some of the locations where younger people are finding partners as they eschew online dating.
One Gen Z who met her partner of one and a half years at the gym says meeting people in person feels more authentic. Online dating has also contributed to a culture of disposability where the sheer quantity of potential partners leads to the idea that there could be someone better out there, resulting in a fear of settling down and a lack of commitment.
This emerging trend is likely to be watched closely by entities such as Momo Inc. (NASDAQ: MOMO) for insights pointing to the pain points leading a growing number of people to shun online dating. Addressing those pain points could encourage more people to opt for online dating given its numerous benefits, such as availing a wider pool of potential partners.
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