Latest news with #dumbphones
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Gen Z is swapping their smartphones for this retro alternative: ‘Need a social media detox'
Young folks are desperately trying to reconnect with the world around them. The method many have chosen? 'Dumbphones' — otherwise known as the millennial-era Blackberry. Ironically, Gen-Z is taking to social media — which isn't even supported on a dumbphones — to spread the word. For months now, users ranging in age from mid-20s to late teens have been demonstrating interest in 'retro' technology like Walkmans, iPods and digital cameras. But the latest Y2K craze has older generations positively baffled. A quick TikTok search under the keyword 'Blackberry' will display thousands upon thousands of videos of Gen-Zers purchasing shelved Blackberry phones off of eBay or digging them out of their parents' closets, decorating them with rhinestones and keychains, and flaunting clicky ASMR-worthy keyboards. For many, the Blackberry craze is a continuation of 2000s nostalgia-core, a time when aesthetics like Britney Spears-esque McBling, cyberfuturism and Frutiger Aero ruled the trends. 'We've come full circle,' declare dozens of comments under posts by TikTok content creators like @notchonnie, who uses her platform to show off her massive retro tech collection 'I'm so sick of Apple, I would give up just about everything for a BlackBerry!' one user wrote. Commenters also shared how they scoured sites like Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and Back Market in search of Blackberry phones to supplant their modern smartphones. For just a few hundred dollars, these tech-tired Gen-Zers purchase peace of mind — and plenty of questions from older generations who no doubt remember the spotty service, super-small keyboards, and less-than-intuitive user interfaces. Compared to the price of a new iPhone, which these days can cost upwards of a thousand dollars, and unlimited data plans that run users up to $70 a month, younger generations see the Blackberry as a no-brainer. For many, the growing anti-smartphone movement is also a way to genuinely embrace the offline world and be more mindful about content consumption. 'The smartphone is not a source of enjoyment anymore,' Pascal Forget, a tech columnist in Montreal, told CBC News. 'It used to be fun, but now [people are] addicted to it, so they want to go back to simpler times using a simpler device.' 'These are supposed to be the best moments of our life, but you look around and people are scrolling,' Sammy Palazzolo, a TikTok content creator who uses a flip phone part-time, told USA Today. Though they've grown up in the digital age, Gen Zers, and even older members of Gen Alpha, are starting to catch on — no matter where you look these days, everyone is glued to their phone. According to a 2024 Pew Research Center study on the subject, nearly half of teenagers today say they're online 'almost constantly,' compared to ten years ago, when 24% of teens answered the same. Some have even reported feeling the phantom buzz of a smartphone notification, and others have said that tapping the 'on' button is now nothing less than a reflex. 'It just basically created this pattern where I was anxious, and so I'd open my smartphone, and then I would hate myself for opening my smartphone, which made me more anxious,' Charlie Fisher, a 20-year-old college student, told USA Today. In facilitating his digital detox, Fisher ditched his iPhone for a flip phone, and according to him, he hasn't looked back since. 'I've been seeing things more like when I was a kid,' Fisher continued, elaborating on his newly-found phone-free lifestyle. 'You really see things for how they are in the physical world, and your emotions are really attached to that.' Flip-phones and 2000s-era tech like the BlackBerry aren't just cheaper. According to Gen-Z, they promote spending more quality time with family and friends, exploring other hobbies outside of doomscrolling and binge-watching, and finding a healthier work-life balance, which begs the question: are the kids actually onto something?
News.com.au
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
A ‘retro' smartphone craze is sweeping through Gen Z
Young folks are desperately trying to reconnect with the world around them. The method many have chosen? 'Dumbphones' — otherwise known as the millennial-era Blackberry. Ironically, Gen Z is taking to social media — which isn't even supported on a dumbphone — to spread the word. For months now, users ranging in age from late teens to mid-20s have been demonstrating interest in 'retro' technology like Walkmans, iPods and digital cameras. But the latest Y2K craze has older generations positively baffled. A quick TikTok search under the keyword 'Blackberry' will display thousands upon thousands of videos of Gen-Zers purchasing shelved Blackberry phones off of eBay or digging them out of their parents' closets, decorating them with rhinestones and key chains, and flaunting clicky ASMR-worthy keyboards. For many, the Blackberry craze is a continuation of 2000s nostalgia-core, a time when aesthetics like Britney Spears-esque McBling, cyberfuturism and Frutiger Aero ruled the trends. 'We've come full circle,' declare dozens of comments under posts by TikTok content creators like @notchonnie, who uses her platform to show off her massive retro tech collection. 'I'm so sick of Apple, I would give up just about everything for a BlackBerry!' one user wrote. Commenters also shared how they scoured sites like Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and Back Market in search of Blackberry phones to supplant their modern smartphones. For just a few hundred dollars, these tech-tired Gen-Zers purchase peace of mind — and plenty of questions from older generations who no doubt remember the spotty service, super-small keyboards, and less-than-intuitive user interfaces. Compared to the price of a new iPhone, which these days can cost upwards of a thousand dollars, and unlimited data plans that run users up to $70 a month, younger generations see the Blackberry as a no-brainer. For many, the growing anti-smartphone movement is also a way to genuinely embrace the offline world and be more mindful about content consumption. 'The smartphone is not a source of enjoyment anymore,' Pascal Forget, a tech columnist in Montreal, told CBC News. 'It used to be fun, but now [people are] addicted to it, so they want to go back to simpler times using a simpler device.' 'These are supposed to be the best moments of our life, but you look around and people are scrolling,' Sammy Palazzolo, a TikTok content creator who uses a flip phone part-time, told USA Today. Though they've grown up in the digital age, Gen Zers, and even older members of Gen Alpha, are starting to catch on — no matter where you look these days, everyone is glued to their phone. According to a 2024 Pew Research Center study on the subject, nearly half of teenagers today say they're online 'almost constantly,' compared to ten years ago, when 24 per cent of teens answered the same. Some have even reported feeling the phantom buzz of a smartphone notification, and others have said that tapping the 'on' button is now nothing less than a reflex. 'It just basically created this pattern where I was anxious, and so I'd open my smartphone, and then I would hate myself for opening my smartphone, which made me more anxious,' Charlie Fisher, a 20-year-old college student, told USA Today. In facilitating his digital detox, Fisher ditched his iPhone for a flip phone, and according to him, he hasn't looked back since. 'I've been seeing things more like when I was a kid,' he continued, elaborating on his newly-found phone-free lifestyle. 'You really see things for how they are in the physical world, and your emotions are really attached to that.' Flip-phones and 2000s-era tech like the BlackBerry aren't just cheaper. According to Gen Z, they promote spending more quality time with family and friends, exploring other hobbies outside of doomscrolling and binge-watching, and finding a healthier work-life balance, which begs the question: are the kids actually onto something?
The Independent
09-05-2025
- The Independent
Teens have an attention span of 14 minutes, could this dumbphone help?
As exam season looms, parents are searching for ways to help their teens stay focused in an age of constant digital distraction. With research showing that smartphone use can significantly impact attention spans and academic performance, could a different kind of device be the answer to boosting a developing brain? A recent study commissioned by sixth-form college group Mander Portman Woodward found that of 1,000 surveyed UK teenagers aged 15 to 18, on average, most said they can only revise for just 14 minutes before being distracted by their phones. The major culprits for distraction are social media apps – predominately Snapchat and TikTok. Alarmingly, 40 per cent admitted to being constantly distracted, and only 10 per cent felt confident about their upcoming exams. This digital distraction isn't just a minor inconvenience, it's a significant barrier to effective studying. Recognising this, some students are turning to a surprising solution: dumbphones. These basic devices are capable of calling and texting but crucially have no or limited access to the internet and very basic app stores. No more social media. They are gaining popularity among Gen Z as a means to reclaim focus and reduce screen time. In the U.S., HMD Global, the maker of Nokia phones, reported selling tens of thousands of feature phones each month in 2022, signalling a resurgence driven by young people seeking simplicity. We've already put the tech to the test, and have found the best dumbphones currently on the market. Finding phones that were easy to set up, great value for money, stylish enough to impress today's teens and above all else, were an effective swap for those scrolling addicts out there. Our tester and parenting expert, Sarah Dawson, found one phone stood out leagues above the rest, the HMD Nokia 3210. 'The Nokia 3210 is the OG of brick phones and offers a real sense of Y2K nostalgia', wrote tester Sarah. The dumb phone was relaunched in 2024, with Sarah noting that it is attractive, user-friendly, and suitable for both children and adults. Setup is straightforward: simply insert the removable battery and charge it using the included USB-C cable. The interface was praised for being intuitive, with calls made easily via the contact list. While it doesn't support messaging apps like WhatsApp, standard SMS is available. Although our younger testers did need a little time to adjust to the old-school multiple-keypress texting method. The device doesn't support wifi, and although mobile data can be used to browse the internet, the process was found to be cumbersome. Sarah wrote: 'To be honest, this is such a faff and so hard to find your way around that our testers didn't even bother, especially as the tiny 2.4in screen makes viewing web pages an annoying experience.' Exactly the kind of limited access required for a teen studying for their exams. The 3210 does feature a 2mp rear camera, which, while underwhelming by modern standards, was still a novelty, despite the lack of a front-facing camera. The phone is not all work and no play, though, as Sarah was pleased to see a familiar face in the app selection: 'The choice of games was still a hit. Snake was especially popular and proved just as addictive as it was 25 years ago.' With bonus tools such as a torch, calculator, FM radio, and up to 10 hours of call time, the Nokia 3210 delivers solid value as a reliable dumb phone option, at a great price.
