By C. J. De Mel, Jadetimes News
Concerns over excessive screen time are leading adults and teens to trade in their smartphones for simpler, less distracting devices known as "dumbphones."
The Screen Time Dilemma
Hidden within the settings of many smartphones is a feature that reveals the average daily screen time. This feature often highlights an uncomfortable truth: a tool intended for convenience has morphed into an obsession. "Social media is built around FOMO (fear of missing out), so I felt like I couldn’t get off it," said 16 year old Luke Martin from Canada. "Instantly, I got Instagram, and it was a downward spiral."
Luke's experience is not unique. Harvard University research indicates that using social networking sites activates the same brain regions as addictive substances, raising alarms about youth phone habits.
The Impact on Children
In the UK, Ofcom's research estimates that around a quarter of children aged five to seven years old own a smartphone. Studies have linked social media use to negative effects on mental health, particularly among children. Some campaigners advocate for age limits on smartphone use. Others, like Luke, are choosing to swap their smartphones for basic models, or "dumbphones." Luke's new phone supports only texts, calls, maps, and a few other tools. "My friend's usage is like four to five hours I think, and that’s how much mine used to be before I got this," he said. "Now mine’s like 20 minutes a day, which is really good because I only use it for what I need."
Parent’s Perspective
Parents are also adopting dumbphones to foster better family connections. Lizzy Broughton, a mother of a five year old, recently switched to an old school Nokia flip phone. "It helped me recalibrate my own habits. I have way more quality time with my son," she explained. Broughton plans to give her son a similarly simple phone when he's older. "It doesn’t feel like the best idea to just start with a smartphone," she said. "It’s like we’re handing over the world, like try to figure out how to navigate that."
The Market for Dumbphones
In North America, sales of dumbphones are on the rise. At Dumbwireless in Los Angeles, store owners Daisy Krigbaum and Will Stults cater to customers seeking low tech devices. "We have a lot of parents looking to get their kid that first phone, and they don’t want them drifting off on the internet," said Stults.
Despite the benefits, transitioning away from smartphones can be challenging. Some schools require students to have certain apps, and peer pressure can make it difficult for children to use simpler devices. "It’s going to require a community of parents to actually be like, can we do this differently?" said Broughton. One solution is the "unpluq" device, which can wirelessly block specific apps, allowing parents to monitor usage and control smartphone features.
Innovative Solutions
Several new phones are designed to help users avoid the pitfalls of excessive screen time. Chris Kaspar founded Techless to create the "Wisephone II," a sleek, intentionally boring device resembling an iPhone. "It has no icons, just words, two colors, and two fonts," described Kaspar. The phone includes limited third party tools like Uber, but no social media. "We’re asking this question, what’s actually good for us?" said Kaspar, who initially developed the phone for his teenage foster daughters. While 25% of sales are to children, the device is marketed to adults to avoid any stigma.
A Shift in Habits
Despite the lure of smartphones and social media, some, like Canadian teen Luke, are committed to their dumbphones. "They think it’s pretty weird, but at this point, I’m like it doesn’t really matter because it’s helped me so much," he said. "It’s definitely taken me into a better spot right now."
With the smartphone industry driven by substantial revenue from apps and social media advertisements, there is little incentive for major companies to promote healthier habits. However, the growing trend of using dumbphones highlights a shift towards prioritizing mental well being and meaningful connections over constant connectivity.