Dating today often starts on a screen, and that shift brings a new kind of pressure. Instead of chasing sparks, many people focus on spotting red flags early and figuring out whether someone is serious or simply passing time. With so much uncertainty baked into modern dating, it is no surprise that millennials are rethinking what a “real” relationship is supposed to look like. New surveys suggest the generation is changing how it builds closeness and commitment.
One of the biggest surprises is a growing openness to long distance relationships, even the kind that may never fully move offline. A Dating.com survey of 2,000 millennials found that more than half said they would be open to a long distance relationship that might not turn into an in-person partnership. A smaller group, around seven percent, said they actually prefer that arrangement, according to reporting shared by YourTango. For a generation once known for wanting flexibility but also fearing distance, that is a striking pivot.
The reasons go beyond romance and into everyday practicality. In the same survey, 37 percent said they would consider an online-only relationship partly to avoid the routines, habits, and logistics that come with merging real lives. Another 32 percent said in-person relationships can feel emotionally draining. In other words, some millennials are not rejecting connection, they are trying to protect their energy while still having someone to talk to and build something with.
That mindset makes more sense when you look at how exhausted people feel by swipe culture. A Forbes Health survey found that 79 percent of respondents reported “dating app burnout,” a feeling that is especially common among millennials and Gen Z. When the process becomes a loop of shallow chats, sudden disappearances, and constant judgment, a slower bond that grows across distance can start to feel calmer. It offers fewer daily expectations and more room to choose when and how you show up.
There is also the reality check of how often apps actually lead to lasting partnerships. Pew Research Center has noted that while about three in ten adults have used dating apps, only about one in ten partnered people say they met their current partner that way. For millennials stuck between hope and skepticism, alternative paths start to look appealing. Long distance and online-first relationships can feel more intentional, more paced, and less performative than the rush to meet and define everything immediately.
Have you ever considered a long-distance or online-only relationship, and what would make it work for you? Share your thoughts in the comments.
