More and more Americans are starting to use “dumbphones,” which are basic devices limited to calling and texting. This trend is a reaction to smartphone addiction and is part of many Americans’ desire for a simpler lifestyle. Last year alone, sales for these devices were close to 2.8 million in the U.S.
The Rise of Dumbphones
Dumbphones have recently become popular among people looking to escape the constant connectivity of smartphones. They enjoy the simplicity of these phones and their promise of a less distracted life. Many people enjoy not being tied down by apps and social media, as well as the peace that comes with basic technology.
The Appeal of a Simpler Tech Experience
People using dumbphones have said they’re less distracting and allow them to be more engaged with the world around them, free from the pull of endless notifications. Users claim they can engage with their surroundings and the people in them, giving them more meaningful experiences. They feel free when they’re not looking down at a screen.
Caroline Cadwell’s Shift to a Dumbphone
A former tech worker, Caroline Cadwell, switched to a dumbphone after a stressful career in fast-paced start-ups. This led her to reevaluate her tech habits and look for more “space and time,” which helped her disconnect from her 24/7 work culture. Now, she enjoys moments that used to pass her by.
The Initial Challenges of Ditching Smartphones
While getting to grips with it was hard at first, Cadwell claims that using a dumbphone helped her create clearer boundaries with work and improved her quality of life by quite a bit. She said adjusting to the lack of instant access to information and social media was initially hard. Even so, Cadwell has spoken openly about the benefits, including feeling less stressed.
The Impact on Personal Relationships
Cadwell also claims her relationships have improved after ditching her smartphone, as she invests more time in people rather than screens. Cadwell argues that her connections to people around her were stronger without so many digital interruptions. Her friends and family apparently noticed the change, too.
Sales Trends and Market Growth
Industry experts have said there’s been a steady increase in dumbphone sales, predicting that the number could reach or exceed 2.8 million units by the end of 2024. These figures have been increasing over the last few years, showing that this isn’t simply a trend. People are actively looking for ways to simplify their digital footprint.
Dumbwireless and Market Expansion
Companies like Dumbwireless have capitalized on this trend by marketing these simple devices specifically to people who want to use their smartphones less. Research has shown that the rise of smartphones may lead to higher depression and anxiety rates. Such statistics have pushed people to rethink how they use their smartphones.
Cadwell’s Personal Revelation
After leaving a high-pressure job and facing burnout, Cadwell claims her smartphone caused her issues. This led her to try and create a healthier digital lifestyle. Cadwell says she’s now more aware of the time she spends online and has set strict boundaries to maintain her mental health and happiness.
A Solution for Smartphone Users
Cadwell developed Unpluq, a product that helps users lock away distracting apps to encourage healthier smartphone habits. According to reports, Unpluq cuts down smartphone use by an average of 78 minutes daily. Such a tool has helped many people decide when and how they use their digital devices, reducing unnecessary screen time.
Christina Dinur’s Lifestyle Change
Inspired by a friend, Christina Dinur, a freelance copy editor, adopted a dumbphone to reduce distractions and improve her relationship with her children. In doing so, Dinur was able to refocus her attention on what’s truly important: her family. Dinur says she’s now more available for her kids and less distracted during family time.
“The Anxious Generation”
“The Anxious Generation” is a book that talks about the psychological impacts of smartphones on youth, and it also influenced Dinur’s decision. She says this book opened her eyes to the potential harms of early smartphone exposure. Eventually, Dinur decided to make a change in her household.
Setting an Example for Children
After she switched to a dumbphone, Dinur wanted to set a healthy example for her children. She addressed her own smartphone habits to encourage digital wellness from an early age and show how serious she is about showing her kids life beyond the screen. Dinur hopes they’ll adopt these healthier habits as they grow.
The Unexpected Ease of Transition
Unlike Cadwell, Dinur said the transition to a dumbphone was smoother than she anticipated. She enjoyed the newfound attention she could give to her personal life and her children. Dinur said she was surprised by how quickly she adapted. In fact, she’s now happy with the extra quality time she has from ditching her smartphone.
The Smartphone-Free Childhood Movement
Dinur is working with groups like Smartphone Free Childhood US to encourage children to grow without the influence of digital devices. Many parents join this movement because they believe a low-tech childhood benefits their children. They want to shield their kids from the potential downsides of too much screen time.
“The Quiet Zone”
Stephen Kurczy shared his experiences in Green Bank, Virginia, which is a town that doesn’t have any cellphone coverage. Kurczy claims that his time here showed him just how attached people are to their devices, and he wrote “The Quiet Zone” about his experiences. Kurczy said, “While working on ‘The Quiet Zone,’ I spoke with many people and heard stories of so many more people who went through smartphone withdrawal-like symptoms when visiting Green Bank, West Virginia, where, by law, there’s no cell service.”
Withdrawal Symptoms
He added, “‘Younger folks seem to break out in hives when they realize their phones won’t work,’ a local told me. Even after visitors are informed that there is no cell service in the Quiet Zone, they instinctively check their devices, like an uncontrollable tick. And research backs that idea up: People touch their smartphone more than 2,600 times daily.”
A Little Quiet
Kurczy said, ‘It’s a way of creating a small amount of quiet in my life. A ton of research now shows that humans are happier and more productive if we’re not online all the time. I get that many people need to have smartphones for work or whatever. But I’ve found a way to live without one, and I want others to have that option, too.”
No Phones Allowed
He continued, “I now have two kids; I’ll be damned if they get phones anytime soon. I know I wouldn’t have the willpower to resist overusing a smartphone. […] I’d have quickly lost myself down a wormhole of rakes, texts, emails, news alerts […] Generally, it’s so hard to be in the moment. Smartphones make it that much harder.”
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