Parallel to non-concerns that young people are become less able unable to communicate and meet people face to face, multiple new online matchmaking platforms have been created. 

Research by prominent dating app Tinder gathered responses from eight thousand heterosexual couples from North America, UK, and Australia. The study shows 69% of Gen Z respondents say they are ‘not ready’ to be in a relationship.

The same study revealed that nearly all participating men (91%) and women (94%) say that dating in this generation is more difficult.

Another Study conducted by the Survey Centre on American Life found that only 56% of Gen Z adults said they had relationships as teenagers.

This varies greatly from the 76% of Gen Xers and 78% of Baby Boomers reporting having a relationship in their teenage years.

Viola Steed, the founder and managing director of Solutions Matchmaking Pty Ltd, says there’s many ways in which the dating pool of previous generations dated different to that of Gen Z. 

There isn’t a belief that Gen Z is incapable of dating, rather the rules of the dating game have changed, she says. 

She says whilst apps are not altogether useless, it’s changed the way people in these online dating platforms approach dating. 

“I think people tend to treat each other as disposable goods, and people get quite sick of that after a while.” 

Ms Steed says dating apps are comparable to slot machines. 

“You get some likes, it’s a real buzz for you, but does it go anywhere? 

“It’s a quick fix for a minute but does it lead to any genuine connections?” 

She says she doesn’t believe that Gen Z is necessarily worse at communication, instead that the lack of skill in dating can be implications of modern society, with a more robotic and ambiguous way in approaching relationships. 

“I think people tend to treat each other as disposable goods, and people get quite sick of that after a while. 

“When I’m matching a lot of Gen Z’s these days there’s a lot of hand holding that I have to do, more so than the guidance I give to older generations.” 

Whilst she doesn’t dismiss the use of dating apps, Ms Steed believes young people are tired of disingenuity online and are looking to return to meeting potential partners face to face. 

She says whilst communication skills are important, young people need to improve their skills in how to treat each other with more tolerance and kindness.

But technology doesn’t seem to be the only issue at hand, changed priorities and values are also impacting the way young people date.

Bridget Clifton, a 21-year-old woman who found her partner on Hinge, says dating online has been easier due to Gen Z’s large online presence. 

“I’m way better talking to people online, I can just send reels when there’s nothing left to say,” she says.  

Ms Clifton says the comfortability of online apps makes it more enticing and the ability to get out of awkward situations more easily makes dating easier. 

“If I want to get away in real life I find it harder to do so compared to when I’m online. If I get weird vibes from someone you can just block them.” 

She says the apps bring about a whole new way of connecting which in-real life could never achieve. 

“You basically see all of single Perth. You see people that you wouldn’t normally be around, either geographically, or education level.” 

However, Ms Clifton says whilst her experience on these apps has been positive, dating for her and her peers in not a major priority. 

“In a way, there’s no reason to have a husband or settle down. Way back when, people were more religious. They would get married, so they could have sex or own a house. There was a stability that comes with marriage, compared to now like why would I do that?”