Gen Z's Summer Trend: Ditching Smartphones for Flip Phones
Gen Z is embracing a surprising trend this summer: the humble flip phone. Meni, a Gen Z individual, swapped her smartphone for a flip phone, reducing her daily screen time from 13 hours to a more manageable level. This shift towards low-tech tools is not just a fad but a conscious effort by Gen Z to reconnect with the real world and reduce excessive screen time.
The trend began with Gen Z purchasing 'dumbphones' like BlackBerrys, moving away from the constant connectivity and distractions of smartphones. Now, flip phones are the most popular commodity among Gen Z during the summer. Meni's experience is not an isolated case. She credits her flip phone and an e-book reader with saving her from excessive screen time and restoring her grip on reality. She feels that smartphones cause her to live vicariously through others and not engage in her own life.
This trend is not limited to flip phones. Gen Z is also adopting other 2000s-era technology like vintage digital and disposable cameras for photos, cassette tapes, and vinyl records. They prefer these low-tech tools to reduce screen time and reconnect with the real world. The trend is largely influenced by internet culture and nostalgia, triggered by the resurgence of the flip phone from the Y2K era. Makayla Aubrey popularized this trend by declaring 'Flip phone summer'.
Gen Z's preference for retro technology is a clear indication of their desire to balance their digital lives with real-world experiences. While smartphones and modern technology offer convenience and connectivity, Gen Z is choosing to unplug and engage with the world around them in a more tangible way.
