NewTree Social aims to bridge the gap between digital connectivity and real-world interactions by helping users discover local events and activities through a community-focused app.
In an age where smartphones dominate our daily lives, many individuals find themselves trapped in an endless cycle of scrolling. The ease of staying connected often comes at the expense of meaningful real-life interactions. However, a growing trend suggests that people are increasingly seeking opportunities to disconnect from their devices and engage with others in person.
Run clubs, local gatherings, and phone-free events are gaining popularity, indicating a collective desire for experiences that transcend digital feeds. This shift raises an intriguing question: can technology, which often keeps us glued to our screens, also facilitate a return to real-life connections? This is the premise behind NewTree Social, a community events app founded by 29-year-old Maddy O’Connor.
O’Connor’s vision for NewTree Social is to empower users to utilize their smartphones to discover nearby events, make plans, and ultimately participate in activities that foster genuine human interaction. The timing for such an initiative appears promising, as evidenced by recent trends in event attendance.
According to Eventbrite’s 2026 Social Study, which surveyed individuals aged 18 to 35 in the U.S. and U.K., a significant 79% of respondents expressed intentions to attend more events in 2026. Notably, 46% of Gen Z participants reported limiting their screen time, while 74% emphasized that in-person experiences hold greater importance than digital ones.
Despite the potential bias of the source—Eventbrite, a company focused on live events—these findings align with observable behaviors in the real world. The platform reported a staggering 567% increase in phone-free experiences globally between 2024 and 2025, with attendance at such events rising by 121%. This data suggests a burgeoning appetite for experiences that encourage participants to put their phones away.
O’Connor’s inspiration for NewTree stemmed from her own experiences living in Washington, D.C., where she struggled to establish a social circle. Observing the rising interest in run clubs, wellness events, and other in-person activities, she recognized an opportunity to create a platform that facilitates connections based on shared interests.
NewTree is designed to help users discover local activities and meet others through engaging events. The app’s interface resembles that of a social platform, allowing users to browse events, RSVP, and receive reminders about upcoming gatherings. O’Connor, who has a background in graphic design, aimed to create a more community-oriented experience compared to traditional event directories.
Currently, NewTree focuses on community, fitness, and wellness events in the Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater areas. Hosts can enhance their event listings with photos and videos, while users can explore local happenings and RSVP directly through the app. O’Connor plans to incorporate user reviews to influence event visibility, ensuring that well-reviewed experiences receive greater exposure.
While NewTree enters a competitive landscape dominated by platforms like Meetup, Eventbrite, and Facebook, O’Connor aims to differentiate her app by fostering a more social environment specifically designed to encourage in-person interactions. During the app’s pilot phase, she personally reviews and approves hosts before their events can be publicly listed, ensuring a level of quality and safety for users.
However, the challenge remains: can NewTree motivate users to follow through on their plans? While downloading an app is a relatively simple task, convincing individuals to leave their homes and attend events is a more complex endeavor. The app’s success hinges on its ability to inspire users to put down their phones and engage with their communities.
Safety is another critical consideration for users seeking to meet new people through the app. O’Connor has taken a proactive approach during NewTree’s minimum viable product (MVP) stage, personally vetting hosts and allowing users to report content or block individuals as needed. While the app verifies business profiles before they can post events, it does not conduct criminal background checks on users or hosts, emphasizing the importance of personal due diligence.
Privacy is also a key concern. NewTree collects basic account information, including names, emails, and locations, which are stored securely. When users RSVP to events, hosts receive the necessary information to manage attendance and communication. However, O’Connor clarifies that the app is intended for users aged 18 and older, despite Apple’s current 13+ age rating reflecting content guidelines rather than the app’s intended audience.
As NewTree continues to evolve, O’Connor envisions a business model that remains free for users while potentially offering premium features for hosts and businesses in the future. The app is currently available for iPhone users, with plans for Android support in the pipeline.
Ultimately, NewTree represents a nascent effort to address a broader societal shift in how individuals engage with technology. As smartphones increasingly fill our lives with distractions, the need for real-world connections becomes more pressing. If NewTree can successfully guide users to discover local events and foster meaningful interactions, it may redefine the role of technology in our social lives.
In a world where screens often dominate our attention, the challenge lies in leveraging technology to facilitate genuine experiences. NewTree aims to provide a solution, encouraging users to step away from their devices and engage with their communities. Whether this app can fulfill its promise remains to be seen, but the desire for more authentic connections is clear.
As O’Connor continues to refine NewTree, the question remains: will users embrace an app designed to encourage them to step away from their screens and engage with the world around them? Only time will tell, but the potential for a more connected and engaged society is certainly worth exploring, according to CyberGuy.