Gen Z is putting their smartphones down and trading them for flip phones this summer.
Lauren from Alexandria, Virginia, and other Gen Zers across social media are calling it a “flip phone summer.” One user on the social media platform TikTok said the challenge is a way to “take back” her attention span and reflect on the role technology plays in her life.
“Flip phone summer is a test of human will,” Lauren said.
She decided to put her iPhone away in a drawer and bought a flip phone for about $100. She can do basic communication such as making calls and sending texts. She can also play an old-school game or two.
While she can still get in contact with people, the idea is to have a phone that’s not constantly ringing. So far, Lauren says she’s feeling pretty good about the detox.
“I’ve been listening to nature a lot. I’ve been connecting,” Lauren said. “I’ve been thinking my thoughts and that is a good thing because I didn’t have time to do that when I had social media.”
Taking a break from social media has great benefits, doctors say. Dr. Christina Lee from Kaiser Permanente says any form of digital detox has proven health benefits.
“Research has shown that can help with improving your sleep, that can improve your mood, that can reduce your anxiety,” Lee said.
While the change isn’t a permanent switch, the older phones are helping connect people to the present — even if it’s for the summer.
“I think by the end of this, I’m going to come out a different person with a different relationship with my phone,” Lauren said.