1 in 10 Prefer Phones Over Sex: How Doomscrolling Is Killing Bedroom Intimacy in 2025

By Nimcy | AdultsVilla News | July 2, 2025

In a world wired to the internet, the warm glow of phone screens is fast replacing the warmth of human touch. A surprising new study has revealed a truth many couples are quietly experiencing: 1 in 10 sexually active people now prefer to scroll through social media rather than have sex—even if it leaves them feeling drained, guilty, and disconnected.

Let’s break down what’s happening behind closed doors—where beds are no longer a space for intimacy, but for endless doomscrolling.

🔍 What Is Doomscrolling, and Why Is It a Problem?

“Doomscrolling” is the compulsive habit of scrolling through negative or addictive content—news, gossip, drama, conspiracy theories—often late at night.

Imagine this:
You’re in bed, your partner reaches out to cuddle, but instead of snuggling or initiating intimacy, you both are staring into your own phones. Minutes turn into an hour. Before you know it, you're both exhausted, not from sex—but from social feeds. Sound familiar?

According to OnePlus’s 2025 UK study of over 2,000 adults:

• 10% would rather scroll their phones than have sex with their partners.

• 67.4 million hours are wasted daily by Brits on doomscrolling.

This isn't just a bedroom problem—it's a cultural shift.

📱 Phones Are Replacing Foreplay

In relationships, foreplay starts long before you reach the bed. It's in small touches, lingering glances, or intimate chats. But when a screen interrupts that flow, desire fizzles.

Here’s an example from a London-based couple, featured in the study:

“We used to cuddle and talk before bed. Now, we’re both on TikTok till we fall asleep. I didn’t even notice how little we’ve had sex in the last few months.” – Emily, 28

She’s not alone. 49% of respondents admitted to scrolling during “quality time” with loved ones. Others confessed to:

• Using phones during sex (yes, really)

• Checking social media on the toilet (41%)

• Browsing timelines at weddings (12%) or even funerals (6%)

Let that sink in: even sacred or intimate spaces aren't immune.

🧠 What It’s Doing to Our Brains and Bodies

Sex isn’t just physical—it’s neurological and emotional. Constant digital stimulation dulls our brain’s ability to focus on real-world pleasure. Over time:

• Memory and attention span decline

• Desire and arousal become delayed

• Creativity suffers, impacting sexual expression

• Sleep disturbances reduce libido

👉 Stat Snapshot:

🌐 Gen Z: Sexually Active… Digitally

Gen Z (ages 18–27) spends a shocking 2.5 hours daily doomscrolling. For many, sexting or cybersex is more appealing than physical intimacy.

Consider this:

“I feel safer expressing myself sexually through text or pictures than in person,” says Ryan, 23. “Real sex feels awkward.”

This shift isn’t just about comfort—it’s rewiring the sexual experience. The emotional thrill of "likes" and fast-paced dopamine hits from scrolling often outcompete the slower, more intimate pleasure of sex.

🕹️ Fighting Back: A Game That Self-Destructs

To combat this digital dominance, OnePlus created “Brain Rot Blaster”—a web game featuring villains based on our online addictions:

• Reality TV drama 🧟

• Conspiracy theories 🧠

• Toxic relationship content 💔

• Luxury envy & celebrity gossip 💎

Here’s the twist: the game self-destructs after one play, forcing users to confront their scrolling addiction.

It’s a bold statement: “Use tech with awareness. Don’t let it steal your intimacy.”

💬 Real Couples, Real Stories

👫 Priya & Karan, Mumbai – "We sleep side by side, but not together."

“We used to have sex every other night. Now, we’re both glued to our phones—me on Pinterest, him on Reddit. We didn’t notice we went two months without intimacy. We had to schedule a date night just to reconnect.”

👬 Chris & Jordan, LA – "We sext more than we touch."

“We're both tech professionals, so we work on screens all day. At night, it's easier to sext than actually get naked. We know it’s not healthy, but it's become a habit.”

❤️ What Can You Do?

If you’ve noticed your sex life shrinking while your screen time grows, you’re not alone—and it’s fixable.

5 Simple Ways to Reignite Intimacy:

1. Device-Free Bedroom Rule
   Keep phones outside the bedroom after 10 PM.

2. Intentional Touch
   Start with hugs, back rubs, hand-holding—small gestures lead to big connections.

3. Talk Before Touching
   Flirt during the day, send loving texts, build anticipation.

4. Scheduled Screen-Free Time
   Even 30 minutes of undivided attention per day helps.

5. Track Screen Time
   Use apps like Digital Wellbeing or ScreenZen to limit usage.

🔞 Final Thoughts from AdultsVilla

We live in an age where porn is instant, sexting is normalized, and scrolling is addictive. But no digital pleasure compares to the warmth of skin, the rhythm of breath, the realness of touch.

At AdultsVilla, we celebrate real desire—not distractions.

It’s time to unplug the phone and plug back into passion.