Article compiled by Shonisani Tshikalange and first published on TimesLIVE on the 23rd of June 2025.
Stock Photo: 123RF/ georgejmclittle
LOVE ONLINE Around 50% of people now meet their partners online.
According to dating experts, young people prefer online dating to traditional courtship.
Dating among young people has been drastically transformed, shaped by the digital age, shifting social norms and a changing global landscape.
Dating expert Marko Stavrou, known as the GenZ Guy, said for Gen Z — those born roughly between 1995 and 2010 — and the younger portion of millennials, traditional ways of meeting and connecting with romantic partners were becoming less common.
About 50% of people now meet their partners online.
He said that for the group, instead of forming relationships through family, neighbourhoods or community events, many now explore romance through online dating platforms, social media and interest groups. Stavrou said this was due to them being the first generation to grow up fully online.
“How they grew up as children, between 2010 and 2015, was affected by smartphones. And that’s what we call the great rewiring between 2010 and 2015. Basically, it was the spread of smartphones, social media and overprotective parenting.
“So parents would not let their child have child-based play, to basically go out into the world and just do childlike things and have a play-based childhood. They would keep them indoors, they would be overprotective because of security factors in South Africa,” he said.
Stavrou said fewer young people were roaming the streets and seeing each other on a day-to-day basis.
“Because everything’s gone digital and online, we just don’t have friends. We’re not doing house parties as much, we’re not gathering as much, we’re not seeing each other after school because we’ve got all these extra-murals, and responsibilities like working, and just trying to survive because of inflation and what’s happening with interest rates.
“And so these have all now affected the way young people see the world, and they’re much more financially aware of the world and of the problems in the world,” he said.
He said on a dating platform, the average man had to swipe right a thousand times to get one single coffee date.
“The average male has to swipe 1,000 times right on a dating app to match with 200 girls. From those 200 girls, maybe they speak to 100. Then from those hundreds, maybe they only get 20 of their numbers. Then from those 20 numbers, only maybe five say yes, and then three of them cancel. And then they only get one single in-person coffee date from swiping 1,000 times right,” Stavrou said.
“So now you’re competing with people globally in terms of looks, in terms of finances, in terms of perception. And that’s tough for the average male because they are then not being able to actually meet people in person,” he said.
The average male has to swipe 1,000 times on a dating app to match with 200 girls. From those 200 girls, maybe they speak to 100. Then from those hundreds, maybe they only get 20 of their numbers. Then from those 20 numbers, only maybe five say yes, and then three of them cancel. And then they only get one single in-person coffee date from swiping 1,000 times right.
According to Stavrou, the average young person spends seven hours a day on their phone and three-and-a-half hours on social media — and that’s just the minimum.
He noted a trend where people meet at running clubs, boot camps and classes.
People were also finding partners and friendships through work, he said.
“We’ve seen a lot of people meeting their partners through work, because they’re spending so much time working, because now the economy is demanding so much more from them that they’re forced to do things with their work colleagues and that’s where romantic relationships come in,” he said.
The 21-year-old advises parents to allow children to experience the world, make mistakes and go out — even while they’re still in school — rather than isolating them or being overly protective.
Leigh Joy, a dating and relationship coach, said the millennials and the GenZs were more tech savvy and use online as a bigger fishing pool.
She said despite widespread fears about online dating, not everyone online was a scammer and dating apps should not be written off as dangerous.
Further, she acknowledged there were safety concerns and precautions were critical.
She recommended safety tips, including keeping your phone charged, having emergency cash, and ensuring you’re not reliant on your date for transport.
Joy, who has worked with singles navigating the modern dating world, said that long before online dating became mainstream, people were still wary of strangers, especially regarding personal safety.
She advises young people to meet others and test their social skills.
“Do not stay stuck on the keyboard, get out there and meet people and use it as a fishing pond. But also be extremely specific about what you want. Be real with yourself. Be authentic. And there’s hope. So many people have found love online,” Joy said.
Amogelang, 25, who asked that only her first name be used, said she has met potential romantic partners through dating apps and social events.
She used apps such as Tinder and Bumbble because they were popular and easy to use.
“I like the convenience of swiping through profiles, but sometimes it feels superficial. I think dating is more complicated today due to the fast-paced nature of online interactions and high expectations,” she said.
Amogelang said vibe and shared interests were key for her when choosing someone to date.
She said festivals, concerts or casual coffee shops were great spots to meet new people. However, she said one challenge was finding genuine connections amid the noise of online dating.
Another 30-year-old woman , who did not want to be named, said she also preferred online, where she meets her potential partners through friends and family members’ status posts.
“What I like is that it makes the world smaller, meaning I can interact with a person who is 100km from me … I dislike being catfished. Technology has made it easy for us,” she said.
Siyabonga, who also asked that only his first name be used, meets potential romantic partners through mutual friends and social events.
The 28-year-old said he did not use dating apps frequently, but had tried a few out of curiosity.
“I like the convenience of dating apps, but sometimes it’s hard to gauge chemistry online. I think dating is more complicated today due to the abundance of options and social media pressures.”
“Cafes, festivals, and book clubs seem like great spots to meet like-minded people. Navigating dating in 2025 can be challenging due to differing expectations and the blurred lines between online and offline interactions,” he said.
