Generation Z and Awkwardness

Zoomers, who grew up with the internet, are changing the rules of online dating. Their main enemy is not loneliness, but the lack of honesty and ease of use that has built up over time on traditional dating apps. Studies show that more than 60% of young users delete dating apps within the first month because they find the conversation boring, feel like they’re being rushed, and feel pressure to create the perfect profile. This sudden move away from technology shows that people want a different digital experience – one that is real, natural and not made up.

The platforms are going to change the way they are built. In the past, the number of swipes and matches was what made something a success. Now, it’s more important to see how much people are interacting with each other and how real the contact is. Generation Z does not want to “sell” itself through a questionnaire; it strives for natural communication, where you can quickly understand “your personal vibe” without weeks of games and empty correspondence. In this new world, formats that reduce insincerity are becoming more important. These include voice notes and live video, which make it easier to see the real person behind the online image.

The crisis of insincerity — why classic apps are losing their audience

The problem of “creepiness” — that awkward feeling — comes from the way people first started using apps. Looking through profile cards one after the other makes the search for a partner feel like a shopping trip, where people are judged by a few photos and a short biography. This makes two things clear. First, there’s a big difference between the carefully curated digital image and the real person, which leads to disappointment on first dates. Second, communication is becoming less valuable. This is happening because people are using chat to send quick replies and ask the same questions about work and hobbies.

This unnaturalness is turning people off, especially younger people for whom the digital environment is an extension of their personality, not a replacement for it. Young people are tired of having to “play dating” by old rules. They don’t want to waste time trying to work out what someone is really saying when they use words that might mean more than one thing. They prefer to use formats that give a quick and honest answer about whether they like someone or not. This is why alternative services offering instant live contact, such as random video chat, are becoming more popular. Platforms like Shagle offer a different experience to traditional swiping. There is no static profile that can be endlessly improved. There is only a real person, and you can decide in a few minutes whether it is interesting to talk to them. Video calls let you quickly and easily see if two people are compatible, so you don’t have to spend ages writing letters that might not even work. This experience shows that Generation Z values the spontaneity and sincerity that Shagle video chat can offer.

What exactly is it about?

• The pressure to fit in with a perfect image from social media
• Generic, meaningless chit-chat like in a business survey
• Feeling like a product on a digital shelf among thousands of other profiles
• The need to invest time in correspondence without a guarantee of mutual sympathy
• New strategies — from making things fun to being real

To regain the trust of young audiences, modern platforms are using several key strategies that are all based on the same idea — to break down the wall of formality. First, this involves adding in things that make you feel less stressed. Instead of asking “What are you into?”, the app can offer a paired challenge. This could be taking a mini-quiz together, choosing an option for a hypothetical trip, or playing a simple game. This means that people can work together to achieve things, which makes them feel better.

Secondly, formats that limit endless choice are gaining momentum. Some apps only provide one carefully selected match per day, forcing users to thoughtfully consider a specific person rather than mindlessly scrolling through their feed. This combats the “paradox of choice”, whereby an abundance of options can paralyse and prevent decision-making. Thirdly, multimedia content is being actively introduced — short video profiles, voice responses to questions and Instagram-style stories. Voice and facial expressions convey far more information about personality and charisma than text alone.

These features appeal to users looking for direct contact. Many users have noted that, after the tedious swiping involved in using classic apps, having a live conversation via video chat on Shagle feels like a breath of fresh air.

Such platforms, including CooMeet, which also prioritise the quality of video communication, represent a logical step in the evolution from image-based interaction to the rapid assessment of real human compatibility. Here, video chat is not just a feature, but an expression of the philosophy of honest dating.

The future is a mix of rules and being able to think on your feet

It is clear that the future of the industry lies not in rejecting technology, but in using it wisely to enhance, rather than replace, human communication. Successful platforms of the future will use artificial intelligence to solve practical problems, such as improving security, providing subtle content moderation and initial filtering based on important fundamental parameters. However, the key stage of getting acquainted — initial contact and assessment of mutual sympathy — will increasingly be left to the users themselves through live formats.

The contours of the ideal platform for Generation Z

• The algorithm works “in the background”, ensuring safety and initial selection, but does not impose a decision.
• The interface encourages self-expression through video, voice, and interactive content rather than static photos.
• The mechanics reduce psychological pressure and turn dating into an exciting, rather than stressful, process.
• The user controls the pace and depth of communication and has the ability to quickly switch from text to live dialogue.

There is room for different formats in this ecosystem. Classic apps can evolve by introducing elements of spontaneity, such as a quick video chat option with mutual consent. And chat roulettes originally built on improvisation, such as Shangle, can add smart filters for greater comfort. Random video chats such as CooMeet, which already offer a structured approach to random video meetings, demonstrate how the element of surprise can be combined with a controlled environment. The key conclusion is that Generation Z rejects not digital dating as such, but its outdated and insincere forms. A platform that can create a digital space where people feel comfortable being themselves will attract users. Ultimately, the main technology we all need is the ability to truly connect, even if that connection initially takes place through a screen. Live video chat can provide precisely this kind of direct, genuine contact.