Singles Ditch Online Dating for Real-Life Experiences
By Movieguide® Contributor
Younger generations are now ditching digital experiences in favor of real-life connections.
“In the past year, Eventbrite has seen a notable rise in speed dating and singles events, driven by young singles who are experiencing online dating fatigue and seeking face-to-face interactions where they can bond over shared interests. We’ve seen over 1.5M searches for dating and singles events on our platform alone, signaling a strong desire for in-person connections,” Eventbrite’s Niche to Meet You report said.
A study by Helzerberg Diamonds found that 40% of singles “have a hard time getting from the point of conversation online to the actual date.”
Eventbrite says 45% of Gen Z and 35% of Millennials have a hard time finding partners online who share similar interests. And nearly half (47%) of those who prefer in-person dating have concerns about meeting someone online who hides behind another identity. The primary reason why millennials (69%) like in-person dating is because it feels more genuine.
Movieguide® previously reported why younger generations have started to avoid dating apps:
“I feel dating apps have ruined the dating scene for many people my age and ruined their self-confidence,” Melanie Perez, a junior at Sam Houston State University, explained. “I’d rather meet and start as friends than use an app that’ll most likely end in hookups.”
“Dating apps promised a quick fix to the messiness of love,” said Carolina Bandinelli, a professor at the University of Warwick, explaining why the apps took off in the first place. “Their promotional narratives spoke about reducing love to a simple procedure. Dating apps promised a love that ‘works.’ But they do not ‘work’ as they are supposed to, yet they create the expectation of love as an efficient business. Users get frustrated with this.”
A previous Eventbrite report found that millennials are fueled by experiences. They prefer real-life experiences over digital ones or even possessions.
“Nearly 8 in 10 (77%) millennials say some of their best memories are from an event or live experience they attended or participated in. 69% believe attending live events and experiences make them more connected to other people, the community, and the world,” the report said.
Fear of missing out also pushes them to engage in real-life experiences.
“As dating norms change, so do activities; 42% of singles want to step out of their comfort zones,” Eventbrite said. “It’s also refreshing to see that most — 70% of men, 74% of women, and 72% of active daters — consider a first date successful if they had fun. Moreover, 32% of men and 29% of women believe a unique experience is crucial, often seeing it as a potential stepping stone to other future dates.”
Gen Z also craves social connections with their peers.
One 26-year-old, Roderick Penn, grew up with his friends and playing sports and prefers to do something active with others.
“I’m a very active person to the point where if I don’t do something physical, I’ll kind of go crazy,” he told YR Media last year. “I don’t really think anything online can fill that gap for me.”
“Social media and things like it can be fun but only for a short amount of time,” one 27-year-old agreed. “After a few minutes, you just crave for that real social interaction.”
