A Reddit user who goes by the name Disastrous-Ad has a secret to share: he is 27 years old and has never had a girlfriend. In fact, he has never even held hands with a girl, let alone kissed one. Fellow members of Reddit’s r/lonely forum (“for all the lonely people”) know exactly how he feels. “I relate to this so much. Same age, same situation,” replies one. “It’s hard. But it’s a growing reality if it helps you feel less bad.”

Welcome to life at the sharp end of the romantic recession, where today’s under-30s are more likely to be single than either their parents or grandparents were at their age. On TikTok, Nashville-based creator Jordy makes videos explaining what it’s like to go through your twenties without a partner. “This era of dating is actually HORRIFYING,” commiserates one of her followers. “No boyfriends no talking stage no situationships no NOTHING.”

Every generation is supposed to rebel against the ones that came before — making choices that baffle their elders. But who could have predicted that Gen Z’s rebellion would be one of abstinence?