The word might seem new but some people have been doing this for years

Jess Battison

There’s so many different dating trends nowadays that it feels hard to keep up.

From the being enough to make people want to stay single forever and, of course, the – it’s a battlefield out there.

And now there’s something else in the mix to make getting into a relationship even more complicated for people.

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Experts have explained the Gen Z ‘throning’ and it’s making older people ‘glad they were born in the 80s’.

Pretty demoralising, this happens when people don’t necessarily date for love but more to up their social status – you know, like getting on a metaphorical ‘thone’.

So, while ‘getting on the throne’ might normally mean going for a p**s, in this case, PureWow defines the slang as ‘dating someone who boosts your reputation (and, probably, ego) just by association’.

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I mean, we all know someone who tries to edge their way into friendships to boost themselves – high school anyone? But this takes it to another level.

And a previous study published in the journal Science Advances found that people on dating apps will seek out a match about '25 percent more desirable than themselves’.

Sure, throning isn’t necessarily a ‘new’ concept but perhaps a new term for something people have long been practicing having ‘dated up’ before.

Plus, with social media being a core part of people’s lives nowadays, it allows people to display their higher social status for everyone to see – making it look even more desirable and perhaps making them look even more desirable themselves.

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So really, you could say throning is all about dating for clout.

The team at The Swaddle reckons that throning can often ‘lead to shallow and unfulfilling relationships’ and sometimes, for both the people involved.

It also : “The problem arises when one’s motivation to date another is driven solely by their social aspirations, rather than romantic interest, attraction, affection, and most other things that form the foundation of a relationship.”

And it adds: “In essence, then, throning prioritises influence and clout over shared interests and values, meaningful connection, and emotional intimacy.”

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In the comments of a New York Post article, readers wrote: “This world proves to me more and more everyday how lucky I am to have grown up in the 80’s.”

And one user on X said it ‘reflects a generation prioritising social currency.

“True connection and genuine love are timeless values that shouldn't be overlooked," they added.

Topics: Social Media,

Jess is an Entertainment Journalist with a love of all things pop culture. Her main interests include keeping up with the Twitter girlies, waiting for a new series of The Traitors and losing her voice at a Beyoncé concert. She graduated with a first in Journalism from City, University of London in 2021 and has previously worked at MyLondon.

@jessbattison_