TechStuff The Story: Social Media is Ruining Our Sex Lives
Sep 17, 2025
Carter Sherman, a reproductive health and justice reporter for The Guardian and author of 'The Second Coming,' explores why Gen Z is experiencing a sex recession. She discusses how technology and social media reshape intimacy, fostering burnout and isolation. The impact of inadequate sex education and political factors, like Roe v. Wade's overturning, complicate their relationship with sex and love. Personal stories showcase the struggle between digital connections and genuine vulnerability, highlighting the challenges of finding authentic relationships in a tech-driven world.
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Gen Z's Sex Decline Is Real
- Gen Z is having partnered sex later and less frequently than previous generations.
- Kinsey reports one in four Gen Z adults has never had partnered sex.
Desire Exists, Barriers Grew
- Young people report desire but face higher obstacles to sex today.
- Carter Sherman says many are horny but deterred by external barriers.
Sex As A Measure Of Connection
- Sex functions as a proxy for vulnerability and social connection.
- Sherman links declining intimacy to risks for empathetic civic bonds and democracy.
