New App Aims to Fix Social Media's Negative Impact

2 days ago7 min read

In a digital landscape increasingly defined by algorithmic chaos and reactive doomscrolling, a new venture is attempting to reintroduce a seemingly antiquated concept to social networking: intention. The project, spearheaded by Twitter co-founder Biz Stone and Pinterest co-founder Evan Sharp, has just secured fresh funding, aiming to build an app designed not for endless consumption, but for purposeful planning.This move feels less like a typical tech startup pivot and more like a philosophical course correction from two architects of the modern social web, a tacit acknowledgment that the platforms they helped build have spiraled into spaces of anxiety and distraction. Stone, whose work on Twitter helped pioneer the real-time, broadcast model of public conversation, and Sharp, who refined the aspirational, collection-driven model of Pinterest, are now converging on a shared thesis—that the next evolution of social media must be proactive, not reactive.The scant details suggest an app focused on helping users 'plan with intention,' a phrase that could encompass anything from collaborative goal-setting and event organization to structured community projects, positioning it as a potential antidote to the passive, engagement-optimized feeds that dominate today. This isn't the first time industry veterans have attempted a 'fix' for social media; consider the rise and niche status of platforms like Mastodon or the earnest but struggling cohort of 'ethical' social networks.The critical question is whether an app built on planning can generate the same addictive dopamine hits that drive ad revenue, or if it represents a fundamental shift toward a utility-based, possibly subscription-supported model. The involvement of such high-profile founders guarantees investor interest and media buzz, but the real challenge lies in user behavior modification.Can they convince a generation conditioned for instant validation to embrace the delayed gratification of planning? The broader context here is a growing cultural and regulatory backlash against the negative externalities of Big Social—mental health crises, political polarization, and the erosion of attention spans. In this environment, Stone and Sharp aren't just launching an app; they're staging a high-profile intervention in their own industry.Their venture will be closely watched as a bellwether: if it finds traction, it could inspire a new wave of design-thinking focused on digital well-being and purposeful interaction. If it flounders, it may reinforce the cynical view that users ultimately prefer the casino-like thrill of traditional feeds, despite their professed desires for something better.The success of this experiment hinges on a delicate balance—offering enough structure to be useful without becoming another chore, and fostering genuine connection without falling back on the manipulation tactics it seeks to avoid. It’s a fascinating bet on the future of human connection online, placed by two individuals who have already reshaped it once.

#social media app

#Biz Stone

#Evan Sharp

#funding

#intentional planning

#digital wellness

#featured