20 Wild Modern Dating Trends

Buzz Feed

15-07-2025

Can't we all admit it? It's brutal out here! Sunday brunch with my single ladies often turns into a "yap fest" about the rap sheets of their on-and-off situationships. TBH, if I didn't already have their locations, I would put an AirTag on them...cause YIKES!
For someone who admittedly hasn't dated in years, when Reddit user Ok_Development6919 asked, "What's the new dating trend?" I became (a little too) curious about modern dating and wanted to see if any of you were participating in these current trends.
"NOT DATING. That's the new trend."
"The new trend is using ChatGPT to talk to dates."
"Some are trying 'dry dating,' which is dating without drinking alcohol."
I would attend Lala Kent's 'water party' in a heartbeat!
"I think the internet is spilling into the real world, and making people really ugly to one another."
"Polyamory is trending, for sure. Lots of people are starting to try it. Even those who aren't participating currently are becoming familiar with the language and values of good ethical polyamory."
"It's so common to send nudes before meeting."
"It's trending to be in a situationship. So, being more than friends, but less than partners."
"So many people are doing video call 'pre-dates' before actually meeting in person."
"The new trend is 'run clubs.' You get high on endorphins, and then go out for drinks after. The alcohol hits you even harder."
"I swear people are just looking for utter perfection, and if someone doesn't measure up, they swipe left, block, or ghost. It's not healthy at all, especially when everyone is FAR from perfect. The standards are WAY too high."
"Avoidance is trending, apparently."
"How about the whole 'cheating before they cheat on you' trend?"
"People are ghostlighting — which is ghosting...then gaslighting about ghosting."
"New trend: Arguing about traditional roles."
Always trending: "Dating someone that's toxic."
"How about the ol' 'download app, delete, redownload, delete, despair, give up, then become eternally lonely' trend?"
"Romance scams."
"People are trauma-bonding, and then just staying with a toxic ex instead of exploring new options."
"The trend of 'Being so scared to date because of all the horrible and dangerous things.'"
"My practised dating trend is 'genuinely wondering if it's too late.' It feels like every person my age is either already taken or has chosen not to pursue a relationship."
And lastly...this response to the Redditor's question just made me laugh:
In the comments or anonymous form, tell me the modern dating trends you have experienced, or the ones you insist must end. For me, I think ghosting has to go. Even if it's a short, to-the-point goodbye, I believe that humans deserve humanity. Be kind, everyone.
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