Imo when you're young and actively socializing constantly it doesn't make much sense to use an app for dating.

haha yeah, I'm definitely actively socializing...

True. I've never really used those apps. Well the one I did use one time I ended up having a one night stand which was a first for me and not my intention. I mean, I wanted to have sex, and did, but I wasn't expecting it if that makes sense.

Anyway, the next morning I had to do my one and only "well... I gotta go to work... so..." speech to the young woman. Clearly I fucked up something about how I said it, or didn't know what she wanted, and in any case even though that was well over 10 years ago I still roll that memory through my "cringe bank" in my mind. I legitimately felt bad. I still do.

Long way of saying the best relationship(s) I had, which went from friendship, to bf/gf and, people never believe this, but back to a friendship (after years of separation, granted) began offline, from chance encounters, and a mutual realization that we found each other attractive.

I've viewed, and apparently used them this way myself by accident, those apps as like "I want to bang. If we both swipe the thing we agree to probably bang." Which is fine. But it's not for me.

TLDR: I accidentally batted 100 with dating apps and retired early.

I'm talking out my ass here but it doesn't feel to me like young people have returned to socializing and finding dates mostly in-person. Or at least, it doesn't feel like the amount of IRL fraternizing going on has correspondingly increased to match the headline stat. Though the group of uni students is relatively small and self-selecting so maybe

Well, yeah, that's what I thought (I'm 378 years old) but I'm surprised Gen Z agree with you and me

I have thus far managed to avoid the hell of the dating app and I hope to never, ever, have to resort to it. it does help that as a communist I am so very very attractive.