At a time when concerns over the psychological effects of excessive social media use are growing, an increasing number of Gen Z individuals are abandoning smartphones in favor of so-called "dumbphones" or basic phones. This movement aims to curb digital addiction and regain focus and peace of mind, even if it means foregoing many features offered by modern devices.
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Kendall Schrupp recalls the exact moment she decided to swap her smartphone for a traditional device, considering the move a radical turning point in her relationship with technology.
"For me, the moment I got rid of my iPhone, I felt like I was in heaven," the 23-year-old Washington, D.C. resident told CBS News.
Schrupp is part of a growing wave of young adults ditching smartphones for basic phones—dubbed "dumbphones"—in an effort to step away from social media amid mounting concerns about the platforms' impact on mental health. Nostalgia for a simpler lifestyle is also driving some young people toward these devices, even though they never experienced the pre-smartphone era themselves.
According to Pew Research Center, nearly half of U.S. adults used social media platforms like YouTube and Facebook at least once daily in 2025. Data from the American Psychological Association indicates that usage rates are even higher among youth, with the average American teenager spending roughly five hours a day on social media.
What Are "Dumbphones"?
The term "dumbphone" or basic phone encompasses a broad category of devices. It includes traditional flip phones that were popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s, which limit functionality to calling and texting. Other models maintain a similar design while incorporating basic utilities like messaging apps and essential services. Conversely, some companies take a different approach by utilizing smartphone hardware while blocking social media apps and websites to restrict usage.
Schrupp obtained her flip phone from Dumb.co, a startup that sells devices pre-loaded with practical tools such as Uber, maps, and Spotify, but completely stripped of social media apps. The company reported having over 5,000 active users, noting that its typical customer is a 24-year-old woman.
Other companies offering similar devices include The Light Phone, while tech firms like Brick sell hardware accessories that pair with smartphones to block social media apps and websites instead of replacing the phone entirely.
Despite her satisfaction with the change, Schrupp admitted that disconnecting from social media is no easy task.
"Because we grew up on these platforms, it’s really hard for young people to imagine a life where we aren't addicted to them, because that has been the norm our entire lives," she said.
This trend comes amid mounting legal pressure on tech giants. In March, a landmark jury verdict found Meta and YouTube liable for developing products that fostered harmful and addictive behaviors in young users—a decision that could set a legal precedent for similar lawsuits against social media companies.
