New Delhi: A recent study by the UK-based sex toy company, Lovehoney, found that nearly two-thirds of Gen Z are saying no to one-night stands.
The Lovehoney 2026 Sex Trends Report found that younger adults are no longer engaging in sexual activities with strangers. The report outlines the ever-changing cultural, economic, and technological landscapes that influence dating, intimacy, and sexual wellness.
It found that while 51 per cent of Gen Z engage in sexual activity at least once a week, as the cost of living rises, many younger individuals are moving back with their families, resulting in less spontaneous intimacy.
A majority of adults, almost 77 per cent, living at home admit they would not bring a one-night stand back to their parents’ house.
The report also added that Gen X are having intercourse almost twice as often as Gen Z. Almost 18 per cent of Gen Z and Millennials admitted to checking their phones during sex.
With many Gen Z individuals experiencing a “swipe burnout,” a sharp rise in real-world setups like running clubs, supper clubs, singles mixers, and “read dating” events has also taken place over the past year.
AI’s impact on dating
Ever since chatbots entered the public consciousness, more and more Gen Z are using artificial intelligence as therapists and dating coaches. Many Gen Z are also using chatbots to draft messages and pick-up lines, giving rise to what many now call “chatfishing.” AI has essentially and slowly become the inadvertent third wheel in many relationships.
The report also found that nearly half of Gen Z and Millennials in the UK are open to or have actively spoken to AI about sex. With 52 per cent turning to AI for advice on sex.
Some people, however, preferred to be in a relationship with the technology itself. Rise in AI companions surged by 200 per cent in 2025. As a result, simulated relationships are introducing a prominent sexual element and sparking concerns regarding distorted real-world intimacy.
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Age gaps, wellness, and sun signs
The Lovehoney report found that 65 per cent of people engage in sexual activities to relieve stress, while another 60 per cent prefer it to sleep better.
In Gen Z, 37 per cent of women engage in self-care to treat period pain.
The study also included Tinder metrics that reveal that 30 per cent of Gen Z daters check a match’s zodiac sign before agreeing to a date. Many younger adults are increasingly turning to astrology as an alternative explanation for why certain relationships fail.
The report also included a London Metropolitan University study which shows how women in age-gap relationships reported an 84 per cent increase in sexual functioning and 54 per cent fewer localised symptoms related to menopause.