As social media fatigue and digital overload continue to shape human behavior, tech futurist Sinéad Bovell is forecasting a significant cultural shift in 2026.
She is predicting an “offline renaissance” where people prioritize real-world interactions over constant screen time.
In an Instagram post and accompanying video, Bovell highlighted the growing trend of declining social media usage, with time spent on platforms dropping 10% between 2022 and 2024.
She cites factors such as algorithm-driven doom scrolling, polarizing content, and the influx of AI-generated material as driving people away from digital spaces.
“All of these social and cultural signals are showing people want to go where their actual communities are,” Bovell said. “This isn’t just with social media — it’s happening with dating apps, messaging, and even lifestyle choices like running clubs.”
AI as an Unexpected Driver of Offline Engagement
Interestingly, Bovell predicts that advancements in artificial intelligence may accelerate this offline shift. As AI becomes more capable of handling tasks directly — from ordering groceries to booking rides — users may spend less time manually interacting with devices, breaking the habitual loops of swiping, clicking, and typing.
“You tell your AI assistant to handle your day-to-day tasks, and suddenly, your phone is less of a screen-time anchor,” Bovell explained. “Better AI could ironically make us more present in the real world.”
Signs of a Cultural Shift
The trend is already evident among younger generations. Teens are increasingly adopting flip phones and “dumb phones”, preferring private messaging over public social feeds. Meanwhile, declining paid subscriptions on dating apps signal a turn toward real-life communities as the primary venue for social interaction.
Bovell’s forecast goes beyond technology, touching on culture, daily life, and politics, framing AI not just as a tool, but as a factor reshaping society’s relationship with digital spaces.
“From declining social media usage to digital exhaustion, people are moving toward real communities, real spaces, and real connection,” she concluded.
Bovell’s predictions suggest that 2026 could mark the beginning of a renewed emphasis on offline life, powered in part by the very technology that once tied us to our screens.
