Roses are red; violets are blue. My talking stage just ghosted me — time to find someone new.

With the impact of platforms like Instagram and Snapchat, Generation Z [Gen Z] has recently popularized new stages in the centuries-long tradition of dating that were originally coined in the 2010s: the “talking stage” and the “situationship.” Both are often short-lived periods before dating, characterized by romantic communication via frequent texting, direct messaging or hangouts, without the expectations that accompany being in an actual relationship. In other words, it’s a no-strings-attached kind of situation. 

These new forms of faux relationships are a toxic trait of Gen Z dating; connection has been swapped for convenience, and the click of an unfollow button has replaced commitment. 

What both of these “relationships” have in common is the idea of being quick, easy to move past and noncommittal, though the main difference between the two is their intent. According to a Jan. 23, 2025, Her Campus article, a talking stage aims to foster a definitive relationship. On the other hand, a situationship is ambiguous, with no clear path toward developing something more.  

If the purpose of dating is to find someone to spend time with, commit to and, not to mention, spend money on, why is our generation so quick to spend these valuable resources on relationships that aren’t built to last?

Now, it’s not a crystal clear signal that love is dying at the hands of Gen Z, but it’s definitely not unscathed; it’s on life support. 

According to a June 16, 2025,  Vox article, 56% of Gen Z adults reported having a romantic relationship as teenagers, which is significantly lower than prior generations, with 81% of Baby Boomers and 76% of Gen X stating they’ve experienced one. The standout advantage this generation has in dating is undoubtedly our engagement with social media. A June 13, 2025, blog post on Decided To Commit explains how social media platforms changed communication in romantic contexts. It demonstrates how, by simply sending a direct message on Instagram or a photo on Snapchat, someone can start something just as easily as they can end it. 

Despite these casual platforms, a possible reason the percentage of Gen Z relationships is low is that they now begin with shallow talking stages that provide a quick fix of attention and connection, but seldom develop past that stage and into meaningful partnerships. So, it turns out social media is more of a disadvantage than an advantage, if anything. 

A survey featured in a Feb. 4, 2023, Ypulse LinkedIn article reported 35% of Gen Z said they prefer an undefined relationship rather than one with a label, demonstrating a reduced desire for commitment.  

Although engaging in talking stages can be beneficial because it allows you to explore compatibility and mutual interests without the weight of dating, the problem is how people take advantage of it. 

The concept of treating these stages less as a compatibility test and more as a hobby to pass the time is where this seemingly harmless thing turns toxic, revealing that our generation lacks the desire to seek genuine connections.  

Constantly moving from one potential partner to another hinders attachment styles. A Jan. 29, 2024, Simply Psychology article shows how experiences can help shape attachment styles in relationships. Therefore, a whole new generation of people commonly avoiding attachment due to the normalcy of short-term bonds creates higher probabilities of developing harmful attachment styles. So when the time comes for someone to find a lifelong partner and begin building a life, developing such a profound tie becomes more and more difficult. 

Likewise, a 2025 study done by ResearchGate showed that an unhealthy attachment style and constantly searching for validation from these small doses of romantic attention strain self-esteem, linking confidence to romantic validation. 

To make matters worse, the results show that these situationships and talking stages that are built around avoiding the harm of an actual relationship are just as detrimental. According to a 2023 Cosmopolitan feature, 52% of situationships result in at least one side being emotionally damaged, and in another survey done by Eharmony, 53% of people found that the end of their situationship was equally or more agonizing than an actual breakup. 

Simultaneously, it’s causing dating standards to plummet, changing the expectation of loyalty and flowers on the first date, to hoping for the bare minimum — a timely text back. These mediocre expectations cause our generation to settle into relationships lacking the emotional depth and security that anyone should expect from a romantic partner, generating a cycle of accepting and reciprocating inadequate affection. 

Moreover, the declining trend in teen relationships over the years is not only attributed to one flawed Gen Z dating habit, but rather reflects a broader cultural shift rooted in social media. 

An Oct. 29, 2025, article published on Vogue magazine’s website titled “Is Having a Boyfriend Embarrassing Now?” took the internet by storm, suggesting that this generation’s lack of relationships is not solely because people don’t know how to properly begin one; it’s simply that people don’t want one in the first place. 

In the article, writer Chante Joseph explains the negative stigma surrounding women who post their boyfriends on social media platforms. She describes how the narrative of relationships as a status symbol has become, well, “cringeworthy” as it strips away individual identity and independence: two things increasingly valued by Gen Z. In turn, it makes the single life trendy and desirable. 

In a culture where independence is now celebrated online, commitment can shift from a milestone to a social demotion.  

Similar to the trend of fast-moving relationships, it highlights the anxiety of posting your partner online due to the potential embarrassment people may feel if the relationship does not last. It’s not necessarily that relationships themselves are embarrassing, but that modern culture has shifted views on independence, self-branding and public vulnerability, making old-fashioned standards less applicable. 

Harboring talking stages back to back is not a healthy solution to Gen Z’s need for independence and avoidance of commitment. This behavior shouldn’t be normalized, and instead, any form of relationship should be entered with caution and clear intentions of developing something meaningful.  

To avoid any harm to either partner, openly expressing how you see a relationship developing and progressing at the start can make a huge difference. The confrontation, even though it feels uncomfortable, helps prevent damaging miscommunication. 

Likewise, shifting perspectives on the gravity of starting a relationship, no matter how serious, helps reshape the narrative of treating dating like a pastime back into the reality of how intimate and emotional bonding at a romantic level can be.

And to be honest, talking stages are cliché, situationships are too. I have a sliver of faith left in the future of dating — and so should you.