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What’s behind Gen Z’s love for ‘dumb phones’?

Dumb phones offer many of the more essential features we expect from our handheld devices (such as the ability to call and text) but you won’t find yourself browsing Instagram or checking TikTok on them.

As consumers become more clued-up on the downsides of smartphone use — with negative impacts on everything from mental health to relationships — interest in alternative ‘dumb phones’ is rapidly growing.

This comes at a time when 51% of Gen Z and Millennials often daydream about life without social media, with 60% of Gen Zers wanting to return to a pre-social media era.

These stats may seem unexpected, but when you consider the impact social media has had on younger generations (wrecking sleep, polarising politics, and encouraging negative self-image, to name just a few things) it’s not overly surprising that the prospect of ditching smartphones for something simpler appeals.