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Some Gen Zers swap their smartphones for "dumb" phones to curb social media habits
CBS News • • technology
Key Points:
- A growing number of young people, like 23-year-old Kendall Schrohe, are abandoning smartphones for simpler "dumb phones" to disconnect from social media and improve mental health.
- Dumb phones range from basic flip phones to devices with limited apps but no social media, with startups like Dumb.co and The Light Phone catering to users seeking this lifestyle change.
- Research indicates heavy social media use among teens can mirror substance addiction patterns, leading to impaired control, withdrawal, and relapse, but reducing usage can improve sleep, concentration, and stress levels.
- Legal actions, such as a recent jury ruling holding Meta and YouTube liable for addictive behaviors in youth, highlight growing concerns about social media's impact on mental health.
- Programs like "Month Offline" help users like Schrohe break social media habits by encouraging a month-long smartphone detox, demonstrating that changing one's relationship with technology is possible and beneficial.
