The return of dumbphones: adults, teens ditch easy internet access for mental health

HAVE you ever caught yourself mindlessly scrolling for hours, only to wonder where your evening went?

- VUYILE MADWANTSI

Or you glance up from your phone and realise you missed an entire conversation? You're not alone.

It's almost impossible to function in modern society without some form of technology.

From work e-mails to social invitations, our lives are deeply intertwined with our devices.

But now, more and more adults (and teens) are choosing a radical solution: they're swopping their smartphones for simple "dumbphones" that call and text, and little else.

This isn't just a quirky trend - it's a growing global movement toward digital minimalism and mindful living.

Models like the iconic Nokia 3310 and the minimalist Light Phone II are flying off the shelves.

According to a 2023 report by Counterpoint Research, sales of feature phones (non-smartphones) grew by 5% in North America alone, led mostly by adults seeking relief from digital overwhelm.

Schools have even begun encouraging or requiring students to use dumbphones during the day, citing improvements in focus, behaviour and social interaction.

For example, last year, for Mental Health Awareness Month, Holy Rosary School for Girls in Johannesburg took a bold step towards enhancing mental well-being and child development by launching an innovative 80-day smartphone abstinence challenge, aptly dubbed "80 Days: Phone Like It's 1999".