A new survey from the BLK dating and social app reveals “covid kids’ still struggle with in person connection five years post pandemic. Read more about the survey and how much the dating landscape has shifted inside.
According to statistics found within the survey conducted by BLK, the many young adults who came of age during the pandemic have been coined “Covid Kids.” They are still struggling to make real-world connections. Five years since the March 2020 lockdowns began, these now 20-somethings are navigating adulthood with social habits shaped by screens and isolation.
BLK surveyed users who were in high school during the pandemic, and the data paints a sobering picture of stalled social growth. Before the lockdown, 32.7 percent of respondents hung out with friends weekly and 28.2percent daily. Now, over half (53.9 percent) report discomfort or outright avoidance when it comes to socializing. Specifically, 36.1 percent say they feel awkward or uncomfortable during hangouts, and 20.3 percent admit that connecting without a screen feels daunting.
The dating landscape isn’t much smoother. Nearly half (44.2 percent) struggle to navigate in-person romance—24.3 percent freeze up or feel unsure when trying to build relationships, and 19.9 percent say they find IRL dates too stressful or stick to virtual settings. Even on BLK, 51.7 percent prefer to “chat online first,” while 3.7 percent admit they avoid in-person meetings altogether.
BLK’s Senior Brand Strategist Amber Cooper says the numbers reflect a generation disrupted at a pivotal moment. “Five years ago, these ‘Covid Kids’ saw their social world shut down,” she explains. “They’re eager—27.9 percent want to meet ASAP—but with over half still struggling, in-person feels like a stretch.”
Friendships also took a hit. Over 1 in 4 (27.7 percent) lost touch with most friends during lockdown, and even now, 19.2 percent feel socially drained after hangouts. Still, 44.5 percent report feeling energized post-social time, signaling hope and potential for reconnection.
To support this generation, Cooper offers five tips to ease the transition: reflect on shared pandemic experiences, take small steps toward socializing, ask simple questions, stay present in conversations, and tailor interactions to personal interests.
“Connection works best when it’s on your terms,” Cooper says. “Half a decade later, they’re not stalled. They’re just recalibrating. We’re here to guide them forward.”
With 41.7 percent blending online and IRL communication and 23.4 percent leaning toward in-person but still hesitant, BLK is stepping in to help “Covid Kids” rebuild their social lives—one coffee date, playlist swap, and shared moment at a time.
Be sure to check out more on the No. 1 dating app for Black singles here.
