New Study: Gen Z Would Rather Do This Than Have Sex….

Once upon a time, bedtime meant one of three things: sleep, sneaky linking, or late-night conversations that turned into something else. In 2026? It’s TikTok, group chats, and “just one more scroll” until your phone hits your face and you wake up confused at 3 a.m.

According to a new study, Gen Z is increasingly choosing screen time over sex — and honestly, if you’ve met this economy, their cortisol levels, and the price of a decent date in the DMV, it starts to make sense.

This isn’t a “they don’t like intimacy” situation. This is a “they are tired, overstimulated, underpaid, and their For You Page knows them better than their situationship” situation.

The Group Chat Is The Real Relationship

Let’s be real: for many Gen Zers, emotional intimacy is alive and well — it just lives in the group chat.

They are kiki-ing, trauma-dumping, sending voice notes, sharing memes, breaking down red flags, posting screenshots, and conducting full FBI investigations on somebody’s new boo — all before midnight.

By the time they look up, they don’t have the energy to do anything else.

Because what is sex when you’ve already:

• sent 47 TikToks
• reacted to everyone’s Instagram stories
• argued in the comments
• and watched a “day in my life” of someone who makes $300K working from home at age 24?

That’s a full evening.

Desire Can’t Compete With Burnout

This generation is not just busy — they are mentally booked and exhausted.

They’re juggling:

• multiple income streams
• personal branding
• gym schedules
• healing their inner child
• cutting off toxic people
• and trying to drink enough water

All while being told they need to be:
emotionally available, financially stable, physically attractive, and “low maintenance.”

Sex requires presence. Scrolling requires a thumb.

One of those things is easier at 11:38 p.m. when you have to be up at 6.

Dating Is Ghetto (Respectfully)

Another reason the phone is winning? Modern dating is a part-time job with no benefits.

You have to:

• decipher dry texts
• Google if you’re being breadcrumbed
• check if they follow their ex
• avoid being love-bombed
• and figure out if “come over” means “I like you” or “I’m bored”

Meanwhile your phone is right there, giving you:

• instant validation
• perfectly curated entertainment
• and zero mixed signals

Your phone has never said, “I’m not looking for anything serious right now.”

Soft Life > Sex Life

There’s also a cultural shift happening. Gen Z is the CEO of boundaries.

They are choosing:

• rest
• comfort
• solo time
• mental health
• staying home

Over performing romance just to say they’re in something.

For previous generations, sex was sometimes tied to desirability or relationship status. For Gen Z, it’s not a personality trait — and they’re not forcing it for optics.

If the vibe isn’t right, they would genuinely rather:
get under a blanket, order food, and scroll in peace.

And honestly? That sounds like luxury.

The Phone Is The New Nightcap

Remember when people used to fall asleep talking on the phone? Now they fall asleep on the phone.

The device has become:

• the therapist
• the entertainment
• the diary
• the best friend
• the situationship
• and the distraction

It’s the last thing they see at night and the first thing they touch in the morning.

At this point, the real third party in the relationship is Wi-Fi.

But Let’s Not Act Like Gen Z Is Anti-Sex

They’re not.

They’re just not interested in:

• bad sex
• performative dating
• emotionally unavailable people
• or forcing connections that don’t feel safe

This is actually a generation that talks openly about pleasure, consent, compatibility, and emotional security.

Translation: if it’s not giving what it’s supposed to give, they’re logging off — in real life too.

So What Does This Really Mean?

It doesn’t mean romance is dead.

It means access alone isn’t enough anymore.

You’re competing with:

• a personalized algorithm
• comfort
• peace of mind
• and the ability to block someone without a conversation

So if someone does choose you over their phone?

Baby, that’s not casual. That’s intentional.

Because in 2026, the real flex isn’t “Netflix and chill.”

It’s:
“Put your phone down and come here.”

Photo Credit: Image by wayhomestudio on Freepik