We’ve made leaps and bounds over the decades in the world of sexual exploration and liberation.
Be that as it may, the pendulum might be starting to swing the other way. That is, at least, the case for Gen Zs.
Having been dubbed ‘puriteens’, Gen Z is not only more sex-averse than previous generations, but they’re wanting less sex on their screens, too.
Let’s look at the facts here. A 2023 UCLA study titled Teens and Screens tells us that Gen Z teens (aged 13-24) prefer less sexual content and more platonic relationships on screen.
i’m going to sound like a nun right now but the amount of unnecessary sex scenes in literally all recent tv shows needs to end i’m dead serious
— karo ｡˚✧ (@elfbunnyz) May 2, 2025
This shift isn’t completely surprising. We’re living in a unique yet exhausting age where dating apps and online interactions fuel every single one of our real-life relationships. It’s no surprise we’re over gratuitous sex scenes in the media.
Sorry to my teenage OTP. (#StydiaForever)
What does on-screen sex look like?
Every piece of media we consume, whether we realise it or not, influences our way of thinking. Sex is no exception.
We know that on-screen sex is by no means accurate. Seriously. I guarantee you most women aren’t going straight to sleep after doing the deed. My UTI-prone bladder says no.
Don’t even get me started on the borderline primal screams from our favourite on-screen couple when going to poundtown. Sorry — do we not have neighbours anymore?
We’re increasingly faced with these polished, perfect, and incredibly sexy scenes which mostly feel… performative.
Sex is supposed to be sexy, sure, but it’s also awkward, messy, and weird sometimes. It’s tough to find that kind of media representation, so it’s no wonder Gen Zs are over it.
@timmytachi Why?😓
♬ original sound – song recommendations
Interestingly enough, there’s also been a shift away from romance in general on screen. Love triangles, meet-cutes, the whole shebang.
The study reveals that 51.5 per cent of adolescents are fans of ‘nomance’, a term coined by UCLA. ‘Nomance’ includes strong, multilayered friendships, and platonic bonds between characters — now we’re cooking.
But why are Gen Z anti-sex?
Is this linked to a general disinterest in sex?
Short answer? Probably.
Gen Zs in general are having much less sex than generations before us. Call it milestone delays from the pandemic, or the good ol’ cost of living crisis (it’s tough to fuck when your parents are in the next room), but the well is truly drying up.
With this in mind, if Gen Z aren’t getting any IRL, it makes complete sense that they don’t want to see sex on their screens either.
But sex aside, there’s a clear yearning here that goes deeper than physical pleasure. The unofficial “loneliness pandemic”, a social consequence of spending our formative years in a global pandemic, has meant that more and more young people are chronically online. While we may be more socially connected online than ever, ironically, most of us are still feeling detached from our peers.
If that’s not enough to drive social isolation, the increasing consumption and proliferation of online pornography (which let’s face it, has never been as easy to access) means that what’s real and what’s not in the world of sex is even more blurred for Gen Zs.
sex scenes are unnecessary in film and television. when I see two characters having sex, I start to run in a circle until the scene ends or I throw up.
— Patrick Doran (@lunch_enjoyer) December 31, 2020
So, whilst it’s clear that Gen Zs are having less sex IRL and wanting less sex on their TV screens, it doesn’t mean sex has disappeared from the mediascape completely.
Sex sells, and continues to sell. One only needs to watch the first five minutes of Euphoria to know that.
Whilst there is a strong calling for healthy, strong friendships on screen, there’s also one that’s arguably louder — a call for real connection on screen, but most importantly, one that’s not purely sexual.
We want healthy relationships that foster a real bond between on-screen characters, and diverse, healthy sexual representation on-screen.
This doesn’t mean we need to rid sex from the screen completely, but rather, we need a positive spin on it. One that strays away from the artificial, and closer to reality.
Are there any positive depictions of sex on-screen?
While they’re few and far between, there are some healthier depictions of sex in the media. This is a sign that the pendulum is hopefully swinging away from unrealistic hypersexualisation and objectification and towards something a touch more real, bringing deeper, multi-faceted relationships to the forefront.
For a realistic, modern day Australian love story, Four Years Later is a great pick. This SBS Original has been praised for its depiction of intimacy by South Asian people.
Having been dubbed “Normal People but with brown people”, the series follows newlyweds Sridevi and Yash, who marry in India, and are then forced to spend four years apart when Yash has to move to Australia for a medical traineeship. Finally reunited in Australia, they work to come to terms with all they’ve missed.
If you’re looking for real representations of sex, intimacy, and desire, mark my words — Four Years Later is going to strike that chord.
Another SBS Original that hits the mark is Erotic Stories, an anthology series chronicling all the sexcapades you could think of.
It goes beyond your stock-standard sex drama, and delves right into the nitty gritty of sexual droughts, long-distance intimacy, and one-night-stands. This one’s an instant hit if you’re big on explorations of sex and intimacy that don’t feel one-dimensional.
Sex aside, if you’re feeling fatigued from the dating scene itself, The Swiping Game is another SBS banger that feels all too real. If you too feel pseudo tension in your fingers from all the mindless swiping, at least you can find solace in knowing you’re not alone.
Follow along as everyday Aussies explore their mental health, race, and yes, sexual desires, all of which come into play in the online dating space.
Brazen depictions of sex are rare on Aussie TV, let alone queer ones, but the SBS Original While The Men Are Away nails it.
It follows Italian immigrant, Francesca (Michela De Rossi), who is left in charge of the Australian family farm after her husband is sent off to WWll. Francesca enlists two Women’s Land Army recruits, a draft dodger, and an Indigenous farmhand to help out — and of course, drama ensues.
Most importantly, While The Men Are Away doesn’t shy away from the emotional intimacy that should (and does) come with sex.
If you’re looking to keep scratching that itch, SBS On Demand has now launched its We Go There hub.
Most media tends to shy away from real, authentic depictions of sex and relationships on-screen, but SBS? They go there.
SBS has launched its new We Go There campaign and hub that spotlights the public broadcaster’s history of breaking taboos and taking risks. Here, you’ll find ballsy, boundary-pushing storytelling that keeps it as real as can be.
Check out the trailer below or for a spicier version watch the full ad on SBS On Demand.
So, where does that leave us?
The loneliness epidemic is a huge gray area, and whilst it’s difficult to make a call on how best media representation can combat this, it’s super clear why Gen Zs are feeling the way they are.
One thing’s for certain — sex on-screen is here to stay. Whilst we can’t (and shouldn’t) remove sex from our screens completely, that doesn’t mean the sex we do see on-screen has to look only one way.
The people have spoken, and the people want more authentic, diverse connection, less boinking. Multilayered on-screen relationships that go beyond a quick fuck? Now that’s sexy time I can get behind.
For 300+ unflinching titles, head to SBS On Demand’s We Go There hub.
Image Credit: Four Years Later via SBS
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