‘Offline’ Trend Sees Thousands Attending Phone-Free Concerts, Dates, and Events Where You Can ‘Find Your People’
As social media continues to dominate daily life, many people—especially young users—are becoming increasingly aware of its downsides. A recent survey from the British Standards Institution found that 68% of teens feel worse after spending too much time on social media, and nearly half say they would remove these platforms entirely if they could. That self-awareness is now driving a movement in the opposite direction: a growing desire to unplug.
Across the U.S. and Europe, hundreds of thousands of people are attending events that intentionally limit or ban phones. These “offline” experiences give participants a chance to connect without the constant interruptions of notifications, feeds, or curated digital personas. The trend is expanding quickly, fueled by a deep desire for genuine, real-time interaction.
One of the most prominent groups is the Offline Club of Europe. Despite its half-million Instagram followers—a somewhat ironic marker of success—the club’s events are deliberately analogue. Visitors lock their phones in a box at the door and step into a space designed for old-fashioned socializing: reading, chatting, playing board games, or sharing a drink. These gatherings recreate the kind of unstructured, distraction-free interactions that were common before smartphones became ever-present.
Other companies have launched their own versions of the offline experience. Kanso and the app 222 each take a different approach, but all encourage people to trade scrolling for presence.
Kanso is an event organizer—not an app—that curates phone-free experiences in major cities like New York, London, and San Francisco. They recently hosted their first phone-free concert, Kanso Unplugged, in San Diego. Founder Randy Ginsberg described how their very first New York City gathering left attendees energized; many stayed well past the scheduled end time, and some formed lasting friendships. One participant even met an investor who funded his startup the next day. At Kanso events, phones are placed in small lockers until the night is over, ensuring uninterrupted conversation and connection.
For those seeking spontaneity, the 222 app offers another path to offline connection. The free iPhone app sends users invites to small public gatherings with other vetted participants. There are no profiles, messages, swipes, or scrolling—just a simple prompt to “choose chance.” With a strong 4.7-star rating from more than 3,600 reviewers, users praise the app for helping create fun, low-pressure nights out, whether or not romantic sparks fly.
Together, these initiatives reflect a larger cultural shift. As more people recoil from ideas like living in the Metaverse or forming relationships with AI chatbots, the appeal of real-world connection grows stronger. The rapid rise of offline events suggests that, despite the pull of technology, many still crave face-to-face experiences that feel spontaneous, grounded, and fully human.
In a world where everything competes for attention, the offline movement offers something rare: the chance to slow down, put the phone away, and rediscover the joy of simply being with other people.