Young Australians are having less sex, fewer relationships and seeking more meaningful connections — but one emerging bedroom trend has experts shocked.
While younger generations are increasingly prioritising quality connections over casual encounters, experts say technology is creating new challenges for intimacy.
Speaking on The Morning Show on Tuesday, sexologist Isiah McKimmie pointed to a survey of American college students that found some people were scrolling on their phones during sex.
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“I think we should all be shocked by this,” McKimmie said.
“It raises real questions for us about how we stay connected and stay present in an increasingly digital world.”
The behaviour is an extension of “phubbing” — ignoring a partner in favour of a phone — which experts say is increasingly affecting romantic relationships.
While phones may be creeping further into the bedroom, McKimmie said younger generations are also moving away from the casual dating culture that defined previous decades.
“We’re not going out to pubs and having a few drinks and then connecting with people the way we used to,” she said.
“We’re looking for more meaningful connections, and we’re connecting on dating apps, which kind of slows things down and takes a little bit longer.”
According to McKimmie, Gen Z is having less sex, entering fewer relationships and socialising less overall than previous generations.
At the same time, established couples are embracing what has become known as “sleep divorce”, choosing separate beds or bedrooms in a bid to improve the quality of their relationship.
“Couples are literally changing the way they sleep together. They’re saying no to fighting over blankets, being kept awake by tossing and turning or being driven a bit mad by their partners snoring,” McKimmie said.
Rather than being a sign of relationship trouble, many couples report feeling happier because they are getting a better night’s sleep.
Another growing trend is the rise of “meaningful holidays”, where couples deliberately step away from everyday distractions to focus on each other.
“Couples are going away on these meaningful holidays. They’re going for secluded cabins, wellness retreats, rainforest getaways,” McKimmie said.
“And they’re just focused on turning off their phones and connecting with each other.”