A growing number of people are turning away from dating apps and social media toward offline experiences that prioritize real-world connections.
According to Business Insider reporting by Amanda Hoover, “going offline” has become the latest form of social luxury as people seek real-world connections in an increasingly digital world. Companies like Sofar Sounds now host singles concerts across 16 cities, attracting over 7,000 people eager to meet face-to-face. “We didn’t set out intending to be necessarily a singles thing,” said Sofar CEO Warren Webster, “but there was demand.”
Apps such as 222, Timeleft, Pie, and Kanso are also capitalizing on the trend by creating curated offline meetups, dinners, and phone-free gatherings. “Going offline for a week is now the biggest investment you can do and the most luxurious thing you can do,” said Andrew Roth, founder of Offline.
The shift comes as users grow disillusioned with algorithm-driven dating platforms and “AI slop” on social media. Pew Research data cited by the report found nearly half of teens believe social media has a negative effect on their peers.
Randy Ginsburg, founder of Kanso, likened unplugging to health practices such as exercising or eating right, noting that the movement appeals especially to “highly-driven extroverts.” For many, these in-person events offer a refreshing return to authentic connection in an online-saturated age.