Can ‘Dumbphones’ reduce Screen Time?

Adults and teenagers are swapping their smartphones for ‘dumbphones’ in a bid to reduce their screen time.

Many smartphones allow you to look up how much on average you are staring at your phone each day.

It can bring an uncomfortable realisation that what was supposed to be a useful piece of technology has now become an obsession.

In 2023, UK users spent an average of 3 hours and 50 minutes per day on their mobile devices.

While this is less than the time spent in 2021 (4 hours) and 2022 (4 hours and 15 minutes), this is longer than the time spent on tablets and laptops.

UK users spend more time on their phones on weekdays than at weekends. On average, people check their phones 58 times per day, with almost half of those checks happening during work hours.

The biggest culprit is social media, with users spending an average of 1 hour and 49 minutes per day.

The main reasons people use social media are to keep in touch with friends and family, fill spare time and read news stories.

When it comes to popular platforms, TikTok is the most-used app in the UK spending an average of 49 hours and 29 minutes per month.

Fearful that excessive screen time and social media use will negatively impact their lives, some people are switching to ‘dumbphones’.

What is a Dumbphone?

Also known as a feature phone, a dumbphone is a mobile phone that primarily offers basic functionalities such as calling, texting and limited internet capabilities.

This is a complete contrast to smartphones which have advanced computing capabilities, extensive app ecosystems, and multimedia features.

Dumbphones typically have physical keyboards, longer battery life and simpler interfaces.

They are often favoured by those seeking a distraction-free, more straightforward and reliable mobile experience.

Can they Curb Social Media Addiction?

The limited features mean users cannot download apps and due to this, some people are buying dumbphones to reduce their screen time and social media use.

Student Meera* said: “I use TikTok and the addictive nature of watching short videos means that 10 minutes on the app can quickly turn into an hour.

“I enjoy the app but it is very distracting, especially because it is literally in my bag.”

Meera is not the only one.

According to a study by Harvard University, using social media sites light up the same part of the brain that is also triggered when taking an addictive substance.

This has raised concerns about phone habits among young people.

Ofcom estimates that around 25% of children aged five to seven years old now have their own smartphone.

Some studies have shown a link between social media use and a negative effect on mental health – especially in children.

Some campaigners have called for age limits to be implemented for smartphone use.

Others like Akshay* have decided to swap their smartphones for so-called ‘dumbphones’. His new phone only has texts, calls, maps and a few other tools.

He said: “Before I got this phone, my usage was around four to five hours.

“It is now 30 minutes a day which is great because I only use my phone when I need it.

“I now have more time to get on with the things I need to do.”

Parents are also opting to buy dumbphones to help themselves be more present for their families.

Mother-of-one Priya* recently swapped her iPhone for a Nokia “flip” phone.

She explained: “It helped me change my habits and I have more quality time with my daughter.”

Priya went on to say that her daughter’s first phone will be a similar model.

Growing Popularity

Dumbphones are becoming increasingly popular in the UK.

Virgin Media O2 said it had seen a “notable increase” in sales of its “brick” phones, from brands such as Nokia and Doro, over the past six months.

Meanwhile, HMD, the company that manufactures Nokia phones, saw sales of its flip phones double last year compared with 2022 and demand is expected to grow in 2024.

Phone manufacturers are also continuing to invest in the market as demand increases from both parents and young people themselves, with Nokia set to launch a Barbie flip phone, in collaboration with Mattel, in July 2024.

As well as being on sale, many are very cheap, costing less than £50.

The cheap prices in comparison to smartphones are another incentive to invest.

Daisy Greenwell, who co-founded the campaign group Smartphone Free Childhood, said she had seen huge demand among parents for phones that offer little more than the ability to make and receive calls and texts.

She said: “There’s so much appetite for this in our community.

“Parents are desperate for a cool, good alternative to smartphones for their children, that their children are going to want to use.”

But giving up a smartphone is easier said than done, especially when children see their friends being given expensive devices.

One workaround is to take a step-by-step approach.

Greenwell said: “I think a lot of parents believe the choice is either no phone or a smartphone, and there’s definitely a step-by-step approach that you can take.”

She encourages parents to start off with a basic children’s smartwatch or a brick phone – “so they can text and call and play music and play Snake and it’s a bit more of a gradual entry to that world rather than straight into the deep end with a smartphone”.

However, users like Sara are unwilling to give up their smartphones.

She said:

“I do have a habit of being constantly on my phone but I’m not going to replace it.”

“If I want to reduce my screen time, I can just set time limits for certain apps like Instagram.

“You don’t need to buy a completely new phone just to reduce screen time.”

Dumbphone Models

Several phones have been developed specifically for users who want to reduce their screen time.

Chris Kaspar is the founder of Techless, which has developed an “intentionally boring” but sleek device that resembles an iPhone. The latest version is dubbed the “Wisephone II”.

He explained: “It has no icons, just words, two colours, and two fonts.”

Kaspar described the phone as “very peaceful, very tranquil”.

It will have some limited third-party tools, such as Uber but no social media.

Kaspar added: “We’re asking this question – what’s actually good for us?”

He developed the phone with his teenage foster daughters in mind and said that 25% of Wisephone II sales are to children but is marketed to adults.

He said: “If you have a phone that’s branded as a kids’ device there’s some shame associated with that.

“So we made a very adult, sophisticated, Apple-esque, really nice device.”

Kaspar said that with revenue from apps and social media ads in the billions, big companies have little motivation to encourage different habits.

Meanwhile, Akshay plans to stick with his dumbphone, even if his friends find it funny.

He said: “They think it is strange but I don’t care because it has helped me so much and I am in a much better place.”

It is clear that dumbphones are a compelling solution to the issue of excessive screen time.

By offering essential communication features without the distractions of apps and constant notifications, these simplified devices encourage more mindful and intentional use of technology.

Not only do they promote healthier digital habits but they can also enhance quality time with loved ones.

Embracing this back-to-basics approach could be the key to fostering a more balanced and focused lifestyle in our increasingly connected world.