Almost 80 Percent of Gen Z Singles Have Reported Dating App Burnout

A vast majority of 79 percent of Gen Z singles said they have experienced dating app burnout, according to a new study by Forbes Health.

The study found that in the last six months, 49 percent of those who reported burnout were using Tinder, followed by Plenty of Fish at 38 percent and Bumble at 29 percent. Raya users had the least amount of burnout reported, at only 3 percent.

“People who experience burnout with dating apps are exhausted from constantly meeting new people, failing opportunities and lies,” Dr. Rufus Spann, a sex therapist and Forbes Health Advisory Board member, said in an article about the study. “Over time, the unfortunate misgivings of being on a dating app can cause someone to lose hope in the dating process and finding the right person.”

A majority of 52 percent of Gen Z daters are also looking for a long-term relationship as opposed to something casual, a greater number than any other generation, including Millennials and Gen X.

Despite reports of a downward trend in dating app users, singles still spend a lot of time on dating platforms according to the survey. Gen Z spends on average 49.6 minutes on dating apps per day, a bit less than their older Millennial counterparts who spend 55.7 minutes per day on dating apps.

When asked why respondents felt burned out, 40 percent said they had been unable to find a good connection with someone they met on an app. Thirty-five percent said they were disappointed by people, 27 percent said they felt too much rejection, 24 percent said they had too many repetitive conversations, and 22 percent admitted that swiping was wearing them down.

According to Forbes researchers, a good strategy is to limit time spent on apps, but there are other things you can do to feel better and more productive after using a dating app. Dr. Spann advises daters to notice how you are spending time on the apps and see if there’s a more productive way to use them. For example, instead of scrolling through profiles when you’re bored, lonely, or avoiding something, go on them with intention. Make plans with a match to meet up or respond to messages waiting in your inbox.

Researchers advise dating app users to look at the positives, such as the expanded options dating apps provide to meet people you wouldn’t otherwise meet. “Dating apps can offer a positive experience with beneficial outcomes for many individuals,” Dr. Spann told Forbes.

“You can find someone great on the app. I’ve been with my partner for 14 years, and we met on an app/website.”

He added: “Sometimes, the person you are looking for isn’t in your radius or next door.”