A growing number of young Europeans are turning to basic mobile phones, seeking to escape the pressures of social media and reduce screen time.
In a striking shift within the tech-savvy Generation Z, young Europeans are steerting away from persistent digital engagement with smartphones. Instead, they are opting for the simplicity of older, basic mobile phones — often referred to as “dumb phones” — that provide only fundamental functions such as calling and texting. This movement is gaining traction amid a growing need to disconnect from the relentless pull of social media and digital notifications that dominate contemporary life.
This emerging preference for retro technology is evident across Europe, with young people increasingly rejecting state-of-the-art smartphone features to embrace devices reminiscent of the early days of mobile technology. The appeal lies in their straightforwardness and the absence of common distractions like Facebook, Instagram, or continuous news feeds. Dumbphones, often priced below 30 euros, not only offer a more affordable option but also surpass their smarter counterparts in durability and battery longevity.
Iren Manterola, the Marketing Director at Spanish tech firm SPC, has highlighted the trend’s significance. She describes this movement as akin to a “digital detox,” pointing to the results of a study that reflects how young individuals are seeking to reduce screen time amid a digital landscape that demands constant connectivity. The research indicates that approximately 12.2% of young people in Spain have already transitioned to using basic phones, while an additional one in five reports knowing someone who has made the same choice. This shift is particularly prevalent among those born between 1995 and 2010 — Generation Z — who have never experienced a world without ubiquitous internet access.
According to data from Idealo, there has been a staggering 215% increase in search queries for older-style phones in Spain over the past year. Young Spaniards are known to spend nearly five hours daily on their smartphones, equating to around 20% of their waking hours, which sheds light on the pressing urge to unplug.
Supporting this behavioural shift, research by the Booth School of Business in Chicago reveals that interactions with social media platforms activate neural pathways associated with addictive behaviours, often leading to psychological repercussions such as mood swings, anxiety, and depression. This scientific insight underscores the escalating desire for simplicity and the tangible benefits of adopting less technologically immersive lifestyles.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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- https://sago.com/en/resources/insights/digital-detox-how-different-generations-navigate-social-media-breaks/ – This article supports the idea that Gen Z is actively monitoring their screen time and seeking digital detoxes to reduce the impact of social media on their mental health.
- https://www.acxiom.co.uk/blog/digital-detox-trends-consumer-trust/ – This source discusses the growing trend of digital detoxes, including the reasons why people are taking breaks from technology and the common methods of detoxing, such as limiting social media use.
- https://www.wokewaves.com/posts/gen-z-social-media-detox-or-addiction – This article highlights Gen Z’s love-hate relationship with social media, the rise of digital detoxes to address social media fatigue, and the importance of finding balance for mental well-being.
- https://www.nssmag.com/en/lifestyle/33063/digital-detox-gen-z-dumbphone – This source details the trend of Gen Z using ‘dumb phones’ as a form of digital detox, reducing distractions and embracing a more offline lifestyle.
- https://www.nssmag.com/en/lifestyle/33063/digital-detox-gen-z-dumbphone – It also mentions the increasing sales of dumb phones and feature phones, indicating a shift towards simpler mobile devices.
- https://www.deseret.com/lifestyle/2024/06/02/a-church-hosted-a-digital-detox-hangout-and-other-device-free-experiences-are-on-the-rise/ – This article supports the growing movement towards digital wellness and device-free experiences, aligning with the trend of seeking simpler, less technologically immersive lifestyles.
- https://www.acxiom.co.uk/blog/digital-detox-trends-consumer-trust/ – It explains that digital detoxes are driven by the need to reduce screen time and the negative impacts of excessive technology use on mental health.
- https://www.wokewaves.com/posts/gen-z-social-media-detox-or-addiction – This source provides data on the prevalence of digital detoxes among Gen Z, including the percentage of Gen Zers who have considered taking breaks from social media due to stress and anxiety.
- https://www.nssmag.com/en/lifestyle/33063/digital-detox-gen-z-dumbphone – It discusses the functional need for dumb phones as a way to cut back on screen time and reduce the impact of social media on mental health.
- https://sago.com/en/resources/insights/digital-detox-how-different-generations-navigate-social-media-breaks/ – This article highlights the contrast between Gen Z’s awareness of excessive screen time and older generations’ habits, supporting the idea that younger generations are more inclined towards digital detoxes.
- https://www.acxiom.co.uk/blog/digital-detox-trends-consumer-trust/ – It mentions that the trend of digital detoxing is more prevalent among younger generations, such as Gen Z, who are 5x more likely to take a digital detox compared to Baby Boomers.
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