Some Gen Zers swap smartphones for 'dumb' phones to unplug

Kendall Schrohe, a 23-year-old from Washington, D.C., described her switch from an iPhone to a flip phone as "heaven on earth." She is part of a rising trend among young people who are ditching smartphones for simpler "dumb" phones, seeking to disconnect from social media and mitigate its effects on mental health. For some, this move also evokes a sense of nostalgia for a pre-digital era.

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For me, like the second that my iPhone was gone, it was just like heaven on earth.

Data from Pew Research indicates that about half of U.S. adults used social media platforms daily in 2025. Research by the American Psychological Association revealed even higher engagement among young people, with U.S. teens spending an average of nearly five hours daily on social media. This intense usage has led to concerns about addiction and its impact on well-being.

Dumb phones encompass a range of devices, from basic flip phones that handle calls and texts to more advanced models with messaging and apps, or smartphone technology designed to block social media. Schrohe uses a flip phone from Dumb.co, a startup offering devices with practical tools like Uber, maps, and Spotify, but no social media access. The company reports over 5,000 active users, predominantly 24-year-old women. Other providers include The Light Phone, and companies like Brick offer companion devices to block social media.

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Young people, because we grew up on these platforms, it's very hard for us to imagine a life where we're not addicted to it because that has been the norm our entire existence.

Schrohe acknowledges the difficulty of breaking social media habits, stating, "Young people, because we grew up on these platforms, it's very hard for us to imagine a life where we're not addicted to it because that has been the norm our entire existence." A recent landmark jury decision found Meta and YouTube liable for creating addictive products harmful to young users, potentially setting a precedent for future lawsuits against social media companies. Dr. Jason Nagata, a pediatrician studying social media's effects, notes that its usage patterns can resemble substance abuse, with features designed to foster impaired control, withdrawal, tolerance, and relapse. However, research suggests significant long-term benefits for those who reduce or eliminate social media use, including improved sleep.

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In teenagers and then even in adults, the sort of features of the design can lead to symptoms similar to substance-related addictions, which can include impaired control, withdrawal, tolerance and relapse.