As a new school year gets underway, many Black Gen Z singles are looking for more than a dating match. According to new findings shared by BLK, nearly 7 in 10 Black Gen Z singles surveyed said they feel lonely at least sometimes, with 4 in 10 saying they feel lonely often or very often.
The findings come from BLK, a dating app for Black singles, which surveyed members of its community about loneliness, dating and how they are building connections.
The results point to a generation that wants more in-person connection but says figuring out where and how to find it can be a challenge.
“Gen Z gets called the loneliest generation a lot, and our community is feeling that too,” Amber Cooper, head of brand at BLK, said in a statement. “What gives me hope is that lonely doesn’t mean done. They want real connection, and they want it badly. They’re just looking for a better way in.”
When loneliness hits, social media is often the first stop
For Black Gen Z singles surveyed by BLK, reaching for the phone does not always mean reaching out to another person.
The findings show that respondents are three times more likely to scroll social media when they feel lonely than to text or call a friend. Thirty-seven percent said they scroll when they feel lonely, compared with 12% who said they reach out to a friend.
Only 14% said they try to make plans to get out when loneliness hits.
“Scrolling is easy and it asks nothing of you, so it makes sense that it’s where people land at the end of a long day,” Cooper said in a statement. “But it rarely leaves you feeling better. Connecting takes a little more effort, and it’s worth it when it’s with people who actually understand you.”
Black Gen Z singles want people who understand them
When asked what would help them feel more connected, the top response was not more dating options or matches.
Instead, 57% said meeting people who “get them” would help them feel more connected. Another 41% said they want places that feel like their community.
That desire for community also showed up in how respondents said they want to meet people.
“Black folks have always found each other in community, at the cookout, at homecoming, at the young adult service on Sunday,” Cooper said in a statement. “A lot of our parents met that way. This generation still wants that.”
Not knowing where to meet people is a major hurdle
According to BLK’s findings, 65% of respondents said they want to build real connections, while 36% said they want that “more than anything.”
Only 9% said they want to keep their dating life mostly digital.
But finding opportunities to connect in person can be difficult.
Among the barriers identified by respondents:
- 59% said they don’t know where to meet people.
- 52% said they feel nervous putting themselves out there.
- 45% said they don’t have anyone to go with.
- 32% said going out costs too much.
At the same time, 66% said they would attend a low-cost, in-person event if it felt like their community.
For Black Gen Z students, that could mean looking beyond traditional dating spaces and tapping into the communities already around them, from campus organizations and HBCU events to cultural events, volunteer opportunities and social gatherings.
How to deal with loneliness when you’re single
Being single does not automatically mean being disconnected. And while dating apps can be one way to meet people, building a fuller social life can start well outside of dating.
Here are a few ways to make more real-world connections this school year:
Reach out before you scroll.
When loneliness hits, send a text, voice note or even a funny meme to someone you haven’t talked to in a while. A small interaction can be a starting point.
Find your people.
Look for spaces where you already have something in common with the people around you. Campus organizations, professional groups, church groups, cultural events, fitness classes and community organizations can make meeting people feel less forced.
Go where the community is.
Homecoming, step shows, BSU meetings, alumni events, concerts and neighborhood events can create opportunities to see familiar faces and meet new ones.
Bring a friend.
If going somewhere alone feels intimidating, ask someone to come with you. Having one familiar face can make it easier to introduce yourself and stick around.
Keep it affordable.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a social life. Free campus events, study sessions, park hangs, game nights, potlucks and community events can all create opportunities to connect.
Make plans instead of waiting for them.
If you keep telling yourself you need to get out more, put one event on the calendar. It can be as simple as grabbing coffee with someone, attending a community event or inviting friends over.
Take promising connections offline.
If you meet someone through an app and the conversation is going well, consider suggesting a low-pressure meetup, such as coffee, a walk or an event you both already want to attend. Meeting in a public place and keeping someone you trust informed can also help you feel more comfortable.
Remember that connection isn’t only romantic.
Dating may be the reason you’re looking for new people, but friendships, mentors, coworkers, classmates and community ties can all help create a stronger sense of belonging.
For Black Gen Z singles, BLK’s findings suggest that the desire for connection is there. The bigger question may be where people can find spaces that make it easier to turn a digital interaction into a real-life community.
This is a Hy-Lo News Staff Report.
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