Seven in 10 Gen Zs say matchmaking apps have made modern dating more ‘superficial’, research has revealed.
A poll of 1,000 adults who’ve used a dating app in the past five years found 22 per cent of Gen Zs consider them unhealthy – with 56 per cent of those feeling like it’s a game instead of something meaningful.
They are also the generation least focussed on looks – only 27 per cent said it’s the most important part of someone’s dating profile, compared to 36 per cent of Millennials and 35 per cent of Gen X and Boomers.
Overall, participants said just a third of the people they have spoken to on the apps are ‘nice’.
Whereas they believe every four in 10 are ‘mean’ or ‘weird’.
The research was commissioned by rebellious wine brand 19 Crimes, which is launching a Halloween-inspired alternative to dating apps.
Partnering with psychic medium, Sam O’Brien, they’re offering a dating experience dubbed ‘Read and Buried’ - inviting singles to ditch the dating rules, and the dating apps, for a night of unconventional romance where attendees will get the chance to date a ghost.
O’Brien, psychic to the stars including Rylan, Tess Daly, and Kylie Minogue, will guide guests as they’re matched with the not so living attendees.
Sam 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 study also discovered users’ biggest red flags on matchmaking platforms.
At the top was having a long list of demands (31 per cent), coming across as arrogant (25 per cent) and featuring filtered or edited photos (25 per cent).
While, on average, people said they have been ghosted seven times following a date, but only admitted to ghosting someone themselves on five occasions, OnePoll's data revealed.
And 22 per cent said they had been ‘catfished’ or misled at some stage – just seven per cent fewer than the total of people who felt they’d ever made a meaningful connection on the apps (29 per cent).
In an ideal world, 49 per cent would like to meet their partner through a social event, while being introduced through a friend (48 per cent) or a hobby (45 per cent) is also highly desired.
The younger generations were also interested in other means of dating – with Gen Zs (71 per cent) and Millennials (68 per cent) saying they’d attend 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.”
