A poll of 1,000 adults who have used a dating app in the past five years found a fifth of Gen Z consider them unhealthy – with four in 10 describing their matches as ‘mean’ or ‘weird’
A staggering seven in 10 Gen Z singletons reckon dating apps have turned modern romance into a “superficial” swipe-fest, a new survey reveals, making it difficult to find a match.
Researchers quizzed 1,000 adults who’ve used dating apps in the past five years, and found that 22 per cent of Gen Z say the apps are unhealthy – with more than half admitting it feels more like a game than a genuine search for something meaningful. Just a third of users said the people they chatted to were “nice”, while four in 10 described their matches as “mean” or “weird”.
It also turns out Gen Z are the least obsessed with looks, with just 27 per cent saying appearance is the most important part of a dating profile. That’s compared to 36 per cent of Millennials and 35 per cent of Gen X and Boomers.
The study, commissioned by maverick wine brand 19 Crimes, comes as they launch a Halloween-inspired alternative to dating apps.
Teaming up with celebrity psychic medium Sam O’Brien, they’re offering singles the chance to ditch the dating rules (and the apps) for a night of spooky romance called ‘Read and Buried’ – where you could end up dating a ghost.
Sam, who’s read the fortunes of stars like Rylan, Tess Daly and Kylie Minogue, will pair up guests with some not-so-living attendees.
He said: “Dating today can feel soulless, so why not bring in a few actual souls? Whether you’ve been ghosted or just ghost-curious, Read and Buried is about breaking the dating rules, enjoying a new experience and maybe even making a supernatural connection.”
The survey also uncovered the biggest turn-offs on dating platforms include having a long list of demands, coming across as arrogant, and using heavily filtered or edited photos.
On average, people confessed to being ghosted seven times after a date, but only admitted to ghosting others five times themselves. And a fifth said they’d been ‘catfished’ – just 7 per cent less than those who felt they’d ever made a real connection on the apps.
When it comes to meeting a partner, almost half would rather bump into someone at a social event, while introductions through friends or shared hobbies are also popular.
And it seems younger generations are up for something different – with 71 per cent of Gen Z and 68 per cent of Millennials saying they’d try an in-person dating event with a unique twist.
Chantal McDowell, from 19 Crimes, which has released a limited-edition range of glow in the dark bottles for Halloween, featuring characters such as Frankenstein and The Mummy, added: “Our research shows that modern dating isn’t working for everyone.
“With Read and Buried, we’re inviting singles to ditch the apps, embrace the unexpected, and have a little rebellious fun while they’re at it. What better way to meet someone this Halloween, alive or dead, than over a glass of wine.”