Minimising my internet usage felt like dropping a drug addiction. At first you feel empty or that your missing out, you feel twitchy without that dopamine hit. But after a week your mind is so much fresher, you’re mental health better and you feel just so much healthier. Great video.
It's true. You don't necessarily have to stop using internet you just have to leave the toxic side of it. I use internet all the time and for all kind of things but I stopped using social media for quite sometime and trust me I've felt a huge difference and learned a lot about myself. And reality isn't same for everyone. You may feel the refreshing change after being absent from the internet but for a lot of people virtuality could be a reason that's keeping them alive because their reality is hell worse.
I really hate what smart phones and social media have done to my family relationships. I get ignored so often by several family members bc they keep picking up their phones while I'm trying to talk to them. When I ask them to stop using their phones while we're talking they get mad at me. Even my mom does this to me. She's one of the worst. I hate it so much. It's a constant anxiety for me whenever I'm trying to talk to them. I miss the old days when my mom and my siblings had regular phones and actually cared to talk to me properly.
My parents watch movies using their phones while eating.. with earplugs... each one of them watching something different while eating... boomers... yeah.. boomers doing that. The exact same people that accused me in the 90 for play way too much in my computer behaves like zombified people.
This has caused so much friction between me and my wife. She seems welded to her phone and she even keeps fiddling with it when we are having a 'wine and movie' night. She often ignores what I say because she's entirely focussed on the bloomin' thing, and I have to repeat everything. I love her dearly but I'm annoyed at her so often it is making me wonder.
@@holymegadave I feel your pain. It really makes me feel bitter that my parents talked bad about such things when I was a kid just to see them acting even worse now. :/
@@bluestorm9651 Not really.... all you can do is write text, or respond to someone else's writing. You can't post images, and almost all of the time, it deletes any links posted. (if you are a serious content creator, that however is social media.)
YT is the one platform I've got left to drop. Knowing what to do with attention and how to direct it is a first-world problem for sure. Not enough research or care has gone into understanding how misdirecting attention can damage a person. Social media is making generations socially inept and disconnected, like government corruption will get worse if people are happy to digest social media because it's filled with propaganda. Hopefully, we'll auto-correct soon.
I was on vacation in the Caribbean recently. I was completely without cellphone or computer. One evening, I went outside the hotel to admire the stars in the sky. When I came back in the lobby, I saw every tourist watching their smartphone and talking to nobody. I have a smartphone, but I leave it home almost all the time. When I come back home from work, I look if I didn’t receive any call, and then I leave the phone there if I don’t have any phone call to make. I take the phone with me only if I know I will absolutely need it. What I like the most to do when I queue or when I’m in the bus, it’s reading a book.
Is that not sad. I stopped in a coffee shop early one morning, sat down to enjoy my cup and a sweet roll. A young couple in line behind me, got their order and sat down near me. Instantly, they both took out their phones, taking their eyes off the phone only long enough to pick up their cup and never spoke a word to each other nor looked the other in the face. Got up, still looking at their phones and walked out the door bumping into other people. Scary to think about them driving an automobile in public.
Sometimes I think about the fact that I cant remember what I had for lunch yesterday but a company in India knows my eating habits from a year ago based on scanning a QR code
I'm glad that restaraunts around me don't use QR code menu's, in fact I cannot think of a place I've been to that does those. Id rather have a paper menu that doesnt nag me and steals my data
I haven't used social media in probably 10 years except for UA-cam. What struck me is the fakeness of it. On Facebook I knew people who posted pictures of how great their lives were, nice cars and house, happy family etc but I knew in reality they were in debt to their eyeballs and the parents hated each others guts On another note I have my original Sony Ericsson W810i from 2006, on the original battery. I still use it when I'm hiking in bad weather as a music phone.
It is not beneficial to stop using the internet. It is beneficial to stop using social networks, forums and chats full of annoying and narcissistic people. And disable the notifications you do not need. But yes, for people mistaking social networks with "the internet", it is probably easier to just use a simple phone...
I remember as a child (Early 80's), in Ireland, when we were the only house on the road with a phone. When a call would come in for a neighbour, I would be sent to go get them. The phone number was 3 digits LOL. I was also responsible for buying the first ever mobile phones in the utility company I was working for back in the early 90's. They were literally bricks. I agree wholeheartedly with the sentiments in this video. People are too disconnected from each other while under the delusion they are more connected.
This is a long read. Smartphones was a miracle technology with so much advantages and had so many benefits. It was a telephone, a camera, a game console, a computer so lightweight and can fit in the palm of your hand. It revolutionized the entire world. The first time it was released everyone wanted one. Everyone was in awe and amazement. But I think everybody myself included was swept away by the tremendous impact of this technology that we completely disregarded the issues and flaws of this technology. Our mistake was that we didn't recognize the fact that smartphones have a great and often extremely negative psychological effect on many users. Significant effects that they can have extreme degradation to our mental health. The fact that some teens and even adults commit suicide because of the toxicity of social media is just insane. Imagine losing your loved one because of a brick with a screen. That's how psychologicallt damaging this tech could be for some people and I think our current generation had started to finally recognize and focus on this issue. The fact that there are now people who just "quit" using social media and smartphones and the fact that dumbphones are now rising in popularity is a clear response from the masses that no, we are sick of all these toxicities and psychological damage this devices bring to our children, our families and our lifestyle. We had enough and this needs to change. The rise of dumbphones is just the beginning of this change. I firmly believe that society will eventually reach an equilibrium where smartphone and social media usage will be in a level where we can reap the benefits but also avoid the psychological consequences so that this powerful device could be used in a way that truly benefits the user.
@@arieljourdan2375 Unfortunately smartphones come with built-in apps most of the time and the average user cannot turn them off or remove them. They also have a shit ton of spyware even without you downloading anything.
100% all for this. I never asked for a 24/7 spam device. I have never set up my pay options on my phone, and most everyday I get some type of reminder I NEED to do that. Give me a break and take a hint. I just need you to be a phone. Not an information gather device looking to sell me stuff.
The phone is called smartphone, but its only smart on the hands of a smart person. Your phone is controlling you instead of you controlling the phone because you are using default setup and didn't bother to learn the features available. Most famous apps have different channels for notifications, so you can get from your bank a credit card payment notification but block the promotions notifications.
I have a smart phone but its older, an Iphone 6. I got it when released and as long as it works I see no reason to update to the newest most expensive thing. I use it to make calls, GPS, text, weather, and the occasional photo. That's it. I don't care for games or video or accessing the net on such a small screen and I don't listen to music on it because I believe in the importance of situational awareness. I like to know what is going on around me at all times so mostly I just leave the phone in my pocket and pay attention to, you know...life.
If you use the tools included in your smart phone, It has the ability to never beep or bother you. Including calls and texts. Get rid of social media. Use Your phone. Don't let it use you.
For me, the size of the phone also becamse a problem. I'm a woman, with woman-sized hands, and often women's pants (and a hatred of purses). It's hard to carry and hold any smart phone. They are all too big. When I had made the decision to get a flip phone, I couldn't get away from my stupid brick of a smart phone fast enough.
Exactly. Just use the phone features. Learn about this pocket computer you have available. Can do wonders.The phone is called smartphone, but its only smart on the hands of a smart person.
I not only hope this trend continues, but that it spreads like wildfire! we are not made to be accessible at every moment, and no one gets better or function very well or for long when being bombarded with expressions and information 24/7 we need down time to digest. not only food but thoughts, impressions and experiences as well.
I’m 44 and 1 day (dec 30th 2021) after 32 years of smoking I decided to quit smoking it’s been almost a year and I don’t feel like I need it. I figured out why so suden and how I was able to succeed and figured out that I really hated it. I know from watching this video that 1 day I’ll probably leave smart phone because of the need to just look at them every 2 minutes. Just like smoking. Congratulations on such an amazing content 🎉
You could "dumb down" your smartphone by deleting apps that distract you. Keep the essentials and that's it. Why buy a new one? Why fall for the same materialistic game? You don't need a new phone to keep things real.
@@bluefernlove yo are totally right, I probably will do neither.... buy a new one or dumb my phone down, its a matter of control which I lack and I think I have to think over how much time to put my self into the screen and that will be more satisfying.
@@alejandrosm8955 I just got a PAYG SIM, and asked the phone company to disable the data connection. That pretty much does it. You can switch it off, on an Android phone, but it's too easy for it to get turned back on, e.g. by the phone trying to update all the apps. I never used one as a smart phone though. It just seemed like a really poor deal compared to a home internet connection. For longer battery life, an old Nokia with a new battery probably beats most things.
I made the switch to a dumb phone going on 4 years ago. I don't plan on ever going back to a "smart" phone., my life is far better without it in every way. My only suggestion would be to make a much better quality camera (more pixels) function, as that is what people like to do, with families, projects, landscapes, and such. I do hope the trend continues with the upgrade mentioned.
I'm pretty sure the beauty of smartphone pictures comes from heavyweight CPU touching up the shot on the fly seems to me you'll need to start wearing your digital camera around again
I have a smartphone and I hardly ever take photos. I prefer to be present in the place and moment, making actual memories, rather than scanning for the best place to take a photo or looking at a view via a screen.
I think people can turn off the notifications on their smart phone as I did and uninstall the social media app and turn off the news feed and everything but still have access to the internet and other benefits. I think it all comes to self-discipline. Great video Dagogo. Love your work and your channel. Thanks for all the info. 😊😊😊
If you have an alcoholic, what do you think it will work, putting a lot of vodka bottles in his room and saying him: You have to choose if you drink or not, - Or not giving him alcohol at all?
I miss my flip phone. Having ADHD, my smart phone is such a time suck and I find I struggle to let go of the immediate pleasure of it for longer term rewards and engaging in more enriching things.
I have ADHD, I'm 45 and since smart phones all the so-called normal people have passed me by when it comes to short attention spans. No one can focus on anything anymore!
The reasons that I'm on my smartphone most of the time include gaining perspective from videos like this, soothing background music, listening to sermons/talks/lessons that align with my values beliefs and grow me as a person, and finding resources to teach my kids in homeschool, playing with my kids on their games, making friends and connecting across thousands of miles. I think it can be used for good, though I understand the issue and the overuse of it. It's hard to believe they've only been out for about 15 years!
Never had a smart phone or joined Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc etc etc. I like to talk to people, face to face, you know, like a human being. It's only face to face communication that tells you about the person you are talking to...psychology has known for a long time that the info we get when talking face to face is actually 60% 'non verbal' ! The movement of body, arms, head etc, plus tone of voice and slight inflections during speech, eye movements, volume of voice, they all tell us something whether we are conscious of it or not, our brain takes it all in and forms opinions, levels of understanding, character of the other person, feelings of like, trust, uncertainty, or need more info etc etc etc. That's why social media can be such a hateful and egotistical atmosphere, because we never truly know who we are dealing with, what their intentions are, we can get the wrong messages so easily and we don't get the true emotional cues in such environments as Twitter etc. We are naturally gregarious, that's what we are designed to be and online communication gives you 60% less information, so it works against our natural face to face communication design !
4:44 Yeah those restaurants frustrated me a lot. I used a Nokia for 7 years of my life (2014-2021) and I'd just have a friend scan those QR codes for me. They'd always tease when I'd gt a smartphone. When I finally did, I try my best to just use it for essentials. The advantage of "Growing up on dumb phones" is you've already trained yourself to not be super attached to your phone. I feel for Smartphone users COMING DOWN to a Dumb Phone, it must feel like coming off a drug. It is hard, but it's definitely worth it to pump the brakes a bit on Social Media Apps. I hardly use Instagram anymore (literal months between my posts) I just tweet once like every week or so (Used to be daily) and YT I obviously have to keep up with, since I've had the fortune to make some income from it and I do respect my audience enough to keep providing entertainment for them! I definitely think Social Media is still cool for connecting humans together and I cherish that aspect, but being Terminally online is DEFINITELY a real problem these days too!
*Here are a few solutions to getting directions without using your phone:* -Get to know your neighborhood. -Print out directions to your designation. -Purchase a map. -Memorize your surroundings.
Four years ago I bought a new motor cycle, being E4 and a small bike it was whisper quiet, three times in the first fortnight I had to brake hard because smart phone zombies stepped out in front of me. I do not like noisy bikes, but in the interest of safety I made the exhaust a bit louder. This set me thinking and I threw my smartphone away. Life has been a lot more relaxed since.
12:48 This “compromise mode” of “only calls, text, audio and navigation” you suggest (I would throw in the digital camera as well) sounds surprisingly like the original iPhone from 2007.
I bought old Dell PDAs (x50 c.2004) to use for notes, scheduling, and light internet use. It's refreshing not being constantly blasted with notifications and advertisements!
It's an interesting movement but there are two things that would prevent me from it. 1. in Brazil, where I live, most banking (paying, transferring money etc) is done by the bank's app, and most banks don't even have physical agencies or atms anymore. Most people haven't handled cash since 2020, some stores don't even take cash anymore. 2. most government services are now digital, most people don't even carry a driver's license since they have on their app.
Sounds almost as good as no-phone. People can't just disturb you anytime they want. It can wait till you are home and listen to your answering machine.
I went without a phone for about 5 years in my mid twenties. Everyone thought I was nuts. I hate being expected to stop what I'm doing and immediately respond to someone because they decided to contact me on a whim. It was stressing me out so I cut everyone off. I have a phone now which stays on silent, and everyone understands that I will get back to them on my own time. It's wonderful.
@@OmnipotentJC I've done something similar, I keep my phone on flight for the whole week, and only converse by emails if something urgent comes up, only on Sunday I turn it on!! Saved a lot of time and headache!!
Sometimes having the ability to send calls and messages is just really good to have. Like when you are out somewhere and need to call a ride or your car gets stranded and you need to call a tow truck or something. Having a phone for that is good, you just don't need internet in your pocket all the time.
I am a 21 year old who completely turned off all notifications. People can't seem to grasp the fact that I don't want to drop everything I am doing for them. I wish people would do things in person more or "swing by" like they used to in the good ol' days lol
I think my generation - gen-x - has it the best. We grew before the internet/cell phones but have learnt how to use them, so we use them and don't let them use us. For example I think the solution is to have a smartphone - as I do - so I can use it for navigation, banking, checking timetables, researching products I need to buy, listen to music and radio and all the good things, but not using it for any other bad - for example I don't do social(ist) media at all.
I don't think the problem is "smartphones" as much as it's "Social Media." It's literally designed from the start to be addictive, and studies have shown that it has a negative impact on the people that use it.
Your smartphone is designed the exact same way lol. It is why you will randomly pull your phone out, unlock it, and then have no idea what you are doing.
I mean, yeah, it is social media. However no smartphones today are designed to disincentivize the feedback systems that bring you back to consuming social media. I don't see why so many people are adamant about opposing people who just are tired of their smartphones, because truly - it IS the smartphones (as they are designed now) that propagate these issues. There's nothing wrong with seeking an alternative especially when you're no longer using any of the features that are unique anymore with a smartphone (such as within those examples where people say "Why get a dumbphone? Just use your smartphone and remove all the apps"). Plus if it meant that every phone replacement was like 1/6th the price of a smartphone, there was a lot more variety in size, etc. Then it'd be beyond nice to have a larger updated dumbphone market instead of just entitling the phone market to only being smartphones when there are people who are moving away from whatever makes them smart. That's what I think at least. Getting a 'less-capable' phone is just the logical side-step next to getting rid of social media. There is no functional compromise there at this point.
@@zachrat9083 One good step that helped me is turning off all forms of raise to wake and tap to wake. The only way I can turn my phone on is intentionally pressing the power button.
I think any business that is requiring the use of a smart phone should deal with the loss of business that comes from that bizarre expectation. I'm happy to see this trend growing.
It's a growing trend and it's an exciting trend. I use a Punkt MP02 and also trying to use a Mudita Pure although my carrier has an issue with this I believe. I find the whole 'switching-off' very encouraging and particularly when it's done by younger people.
I got rid of my smartphone before the shutdowns of 2020 and it was one of the best things I ever did. Since buying my current house I find myself really wanting to get rid of my home internet but I have a weekly video chat with friends and I would genuinely miss.
I got a SMART phone about 3 mths. ago. No body show you had to set up and I complained about not having a book of directions. Hubby laughed and said they don't give directions. I'm 58 years old trying to figure it out. These Dumb phones sound wonderful to me.
i have a punkt MP02 phone and i love it. my iphone is now my backup (if i am traveling, or going to a baseball game and need to have tickets on my cell). lack of maps is by far the biggest drawback of a dumbphone, but you just get used to checking directions and subway info before you leave. social media and internet rarely are really needed before you get back home.
For me, I want to get a dumb phone soon to kinda be a part of the revolution to stop everything around us requiring smart phones, like how he mentioned the QR codes in restaurants for example, or tickets being only on phones or how school is impossible now without a phone.
If there would be a dumbphone with only a few key features that a smartphone has, such as maps, bus and train times, and a decent camera in case you spot something interesting, I would get one as a gen z
I did this experiment back in 2021 when i was preparing to go into college and used a nokia 3310 for 9 months but i guess you have to realize that unless we use that free time to do something productive there's isn't much use to it. But of course it helped me with my social anxiety and i think i got out of that teenage depression phase because i stayed away from my phone. So yea it's worth a go
It's actually funny that she always claim her getting rids of technology for years but still managed to stir up drama when necessary on social media for the attention
Old Blackberry was the perfect amount of convenience. Texting apps and navigation is all you really need. If your work is online carry a second phone just for that and put it away after. Also once you disconnect you see who really cares about you because without social media most people wont even message you. Not to mention it's become a huge security issue.
Przemek Olejniczak - say Pshemek Oleynitshak, Lector's pronunciation made my day. And btw, you don't have to check everything before travelling if you don't have a smartphone. You can ask locals 🙂 Being a kid I went to Tatra Mountains with no reservation, map or a tourist guide. Got into a bus to some lovely village and rented a room from someone standing next to me (it was very crowded). We have a proverb: "a tip of your tongue is your guide" (koniec języka za przewodnika) or "the one who is asking is not getting lost". For some kids nowadays it should go: "better charge your battery than be lost".
Have thought about this, but I have essesntial tools on the smartphone (calendar, maps + a few more) But there are no social media apps and all notifications are disabled. It seems like a lot of people don't know how to control their smartphone.
Right? My nokia used to blow up from calls and texts constantly, which guess what, I had to mute!
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My life changed to the better when I put the phone on silent and turned on do-not-disturb for sleep hours. I use vibration only for calls. Sometimes I even forget where it is, there's no LED activity while on battery saver(always except fitness tracking and navigation). I think we gotta balance it out, and it will happen. But for activities and daily life I don't mind using my phone as my wallet, music player, fitness tracker and camera. Yet, I wouldn't mind an alternate dumbphone for off-days. That Light Phone looks so appealing!
The integration is a huge problem. But if you have what it takes to not install social media on your spartpone. It is practically just a phone with some integrated devices that would otherwise be quite cumbersome to carry around. I practically only use a novel app, public transport ticket service apps etc. But the most useful apps is google maps that is irreplicable for when you go to unfamiliar places. that would otherwise require a guide or taxi ride to even find.
64 year old Light Phone II user here. I love the mission specific interface of this device, as it's more well thought out than the "friendly for seniors" Android phones that are typically marketed to my demographic. I delete most texts before I read them, but the Light forwards them to my computer's email account. So, the 1 in 20 of those that might actually be useful is documented there. If I want to communicate by typing I'd much rather do that on a device with a real keyboard, such as my laptop computer. I'm not an internet minimalist, but one who chooses his tools carefully.
If you want to 'dumb' your current smartphone (and have an android), look at a launcher like OLauncher. It is very reminiscent of the display of the light phone 2. I got it yesterday and it is making a difference so far. It won't delete any of your apps, but reduces your homescreen to a selection of 4-8 apps which you can choose.
I am grateful to all making this stand. My granddaughter was born on 1-27-22, and by 1-27-23 was put into hospice care for the cancer that is consuming her little body. Where does a mother rest her phone while pregnant. I KNOW this is why she was basically born with cancer. Please consider this when going to purchase a phone. And please warn pregnant women. The Medical iDustrial Complex is owned and run by the Deceivers, so I don't see them warning anyone soon, as there's no profit in healthy humans. Be proud to be using a dumb phone, you're doing it for the children.
What I really want is exactly this: a dumb phone mode on a smartphone. But it needs to be a smartphone that does not become garbage after 4 years. I am typing this on a 14-year old desktop running current version of Linux. There is still no need to change it to something newer, because hardware specification for PCs is open. But with a smartphone, the manufacturer keeps the ins-and-outs of the hardware secret, so there is no way to keep it secure after update period runs out. They just force you to buy a new one. We are throwing away perfectly serviceable hardware. Manufacturers abuse copyright law that was never meant to make people hostages to throwaway phones. And that's why it's a dumb phone for me, until I find an open hardware smartphone.
Growing up as mobiles were becoming popular and getting my first Nokia 3315, I still have a lot of nostalgia for those simple times (minus the phone bill and paying to send and receive texts!) I’ve put my iPhone in a locked down mode with screen time restrictions using a passcode my partner set and can’t tell me. Meaning social media apps can’t be installed. There are time limits I can spend on certain apps. All notifications have been disabled except phone and messages. I feel better for it. My screen time has gone down significantly, I actually went to the library and got back into reading. I haven’t found myself stuck on TikTok or reels and all of a sudden it’s 2am and I don’t know where the time went or what I’ve been doing. I think dumb phones are great but I’m not ready to give up maps, music and podcasts yet.
As self described practical technologist (someone who will wait for what they have to wear out, but will ALWAYS replace it with the latest and greatest when it does) this entire idea is a regression in every way and a result of someone preferring to take the easy way out rather than controlling their smartphone instead of letting it control them.
I really love to go around town, visit places, and live my life in general without anything digital. I frequently leave home with absolutely nothing in my pocket, or maybe just a little cash in case I wanted to gram a drink or buy something simple. It is a great feeling.
I initially did this - I went out a bought a flip phone and it was great tbh. But it had keys on it like the old school ones, so texting was a pain. I ended up switching back to a 6 year old smartphone that's kinda slow but its just so basic I don't even think of using anything on it. If I absolutely had to access the internet then that option is still there, for GPS or info or something. I think that is the happy medium. Dig out your old smartphone, and use it pretty much as a dumb phone.
The phone is called smartphone, but its only smart on the hands of a smart person. Your phone is controlling you instead of you controlling the phone because you are using default setup and didn't bother to learn the features available. Your phone have processing power to control a satellite, but most people doesn't even know what Tasker is. Android gives you a lot of control of those disturbances mentioned in the video. Most famous apps have different channels for notifications, so you can get from your bank a credit card payment notification but block the promotions notifications. You can get block messages notifications (which gave my life back) but when I have time and I'm willing to, I check whatsapp messages. Social media in general just don't use it. There's not need to use a dumb phone or even to think the smartphone is annoying and asking for attention all the time.
I've managed without a mobile phone of ANY kind since September 2019 (it's December 2022 as I type this). May this trend continue and deepen. I cannot more heartily recommend consciously "opting" FOR WHAT YOU REALLY IDEALLY WANT!
it's really sad. In my university, the only way you can get lunch is through an app and our clubs basically contact each other through text groups. It's annoying how I can't get rid of this completely
This is awesome! I have a smart phone, but I try to only look at it once a day at the most, but often don't look at it for weeks and months. Yes, I'm very hard to contact, but I don't really care. I like being disconnected. That being said, I am addicted to UA-cam on my tablet and watch it for many hours a day.
I have just dumbed all notifications from any social media. As well as no pings from email, WhatsApp, yt or anything or any app I have installed. That way I'm in control and check in when it suits me. I'm no FB or insta addict anyway but this emphasises my absence from all platforms. Self control is the key. Disconnect from your dopamine addiction
As a tech enthusiast I both can't imagine ever getting rid of smartphone at all and at the same time completely embrace the imagination of a somehow smartphone free society
I tried it and it's really hard to actually function in society. I was a problem when looking for work because they don't do calls or SMS anymore and digital footprint becomes a necessity for better jobs. Social colleagues also wouldn't really keep in touch unless you have a social message app. I used a simple phone for almost a year and it felt a bit isolating. I had a laptop to study and entertainment and became more and more enclosed in my room.
I have never really used social media on my phone and my data plan is terrible so I think that has spared me from most of these gripes. As a Geocacher and someone that snaps a lot of pictures though I could never give up my smartphone.
It feels like more and more things that are necessary for everyday life (banking etc.) are focused on the smartphone, so living without it is becoming increasingly difficult. When I went to the bus station, there weren't even bus schedules, just a notice telling me to check the schedules online for crying out loud.
My Samsung has a 'Maximum Power Saving Mode' which allows you to use only a handful of apps, and increases the battery life significantly. It essentially becomes a not-so-smart phone. The control is in your hands people, your smartphone is not your enemy. You make it what you want it to be.
i have NEVER dined at a restaraunt or business where you had to scan anything. that freaks me out. i think the only thing i would miss from my smartphone is the gps maps. i hate getting lost.
I lost my smart phone and had no mobile phone at all for about 2 months a few years ago. While I found it perhaps a little inconvenient, I didn't actually mind. Everyone else was more concerned than I was and I found I really didn't want a mobile phone. Now I have an iPhone 12 and before that had a pixel 2, but I've been much more intentional about the apps and things I put on them.
Most modern dumb phones and flip phones have trackers, internet, Facebook, UA-cam and HD photos. Those are the only things that you need on them. Everything else is not necessary.
Her Nokia can in fact scan QR codes. Most of today's Nokia phones have KaiOS, which has a store where you can download QR code readers. However, in earlier Java-enabled Symbian devices such as the Nokia E51 that I am currently using, have support for java apps. You can easily find a java-based QR code reader online, or scan one by the Opera Mini browser.
It's one of the most technological ironies that smart phones have outsmart most phone users and they are almost psychologically addicted to them. I used to be one of them but nowadays days I rather use my PC more than my phone. Thank you and it is about time that I had to purchase a dumb phone.
Fifteen years ago people sat at the dinner table and talked to each other; talk about their day, what they did, who they met, etc. What an absolute bore. Now we sit at the dinner table and we’re on our smartphones; what a wonderful world we live in now; if we want to speak to someone, we text them, even if they’re just across the table from you - and don’t want to go back to what it was before.
One small step is turning off push notifications for most apps. When i got one FB notifications reminding me to check my &other* notifications, i just turned them off.
Android allows you to turn off notifications on an app basis. A feature I have been using for 3 years. I do not have the ringer on either or on vibrate. The only sound my phone makes when I am not explicitly using it is the alarm to wake me up or remind me to leave to catch a train.
Initially, my choice to buy a dumb--phone about half a decade ago was sheerly made for budget reasons. I'd not long moved into a new home and I wanted to save as much cash as I could. Ever since the pandemic, I've come to appreciate how good it was to disconnect from the toxicity of social media. It was bad enough at the time having access to those sites on my desktop - I can't think of how much worse things would have gotten if I had them in my pocket too. There are advantages to smartphones of course - for instance, an app like Google Maps or similar makes it a lot easier to find your way around a strange town than it would using a paper map or asking for directions. But if you're so addicted to your smartphone that your mental well-being is at stake, take my word for it, it's time to ditch it in favour of a dumb-phone.
I pretty much always used ny snart phone as a dumb phone as I never used social media too actively or have a very active social life in the first place. My phone is mostly a youtube machine and e-reader beyond it's functionality as a phone and switching to a "dumb phone" would not improve my life. That being said if these people feel like they have to disconnect entirely to combat their soc media addiction, that is an entirely fine way to go about it.
@@earlysda I turned off my sensors on my Samsung phone to limit tracking expecially since I'm sick and tired of Google trying to listen to what someone is saying so they can sell crappy ads. Oh and I use modified android clients for UA-cam and Discord. That's why I don't get ads on my YT feed and get a lot more feature out of Discord
Years ago, I got a job at T-mobile. When I started, I was told that I HAD to have a cell phone since the job required on-call shifts. I was also told that I would be required to have my work email on my smartphone. I realized that if my required cell was a smartphone, then I would be "on-call" 24/7, whether I was the official on-call engineer or not. I wanted a life, so I purposely chose a flip phone for my cell. Nowhere was it written that I was required to have a smartphone, just a cell. The assumption was that if I had a cell, it would be a smartphone. One of the managers complained, but the higher-ups and HR both said I was within the rules. The manager wanted the rules changed, but those same higher-ups said NO. I learned later that a number of those higher-ups ALSO kept dumb phones so they could have a life. I suspect THAT was why they refused to change the rules. Before I left, there were a number of others who had downgraded to get their life back. It didn't hurt that my flip phone had longer battery life and clearer speakerphone (useful when you have to type in console commands at the same time).
I just bought a light phone and my work mates say "how are you going to stay conected?" "You're young just use the internet" it is honestly sad how after only a few years it is now controlling us
Accessibility would be my issue. I have a visual impairment and wouldn't be confident in a feature phone having the features I need to read it. And there's also the fact that my phone often serves as my main means of navigation, as a magnifier etc. To get many of those features, I'd need to carry at least two additional devices.
Addiction to instant gratification via a smartphone is a huge problem. But there are two simple things that anyone can do to mitigate the problem - 1. turn off all notifications and put your phone out of sight. 2. Actually turn your phone off from time to time and definitely, at night. Just those 2 simple things will remove most of the negatives mentioned in this video.
I hate cell phones , everyone expects you to have one , the things make me a nervous wreck. Email services want cell phone numbers now , not everyone HAS A CELL PHONE ! Great video! The companies don't seem to understand not everyone wants these phones , I have email , I only access through a computer !
Surely it's unfair to require possession of an expensive, failure-prone electronic device designed to be obsolete in a short time, in order to carry out the functions of daily life such as shopping, using transit, paying bills, etc. Many cannot afford a smart phone; many have no desire for one. Leaving aside the question of so-called "addiction", laws need enacting to protect those who do not opt for an electronically-tethered life.
I've been doing this for I think coming up on a year now. Sweden is horrible in the sense that we have to own a phone in order to have BankID. The way I see it, I'm the change I want to see in the world.
That's great until you realize that many older "dumbphones" are useless with your cellphone carrier. Reason: the cellphone carriers are starting to turn off 2G and 3G CDMA/GSM digital cellular support in favor of Voice over LTE (VoLTE). Just that really limits you to the newest model of feature phones out there.
I’d like to have the “ I call it Snowden phone “ it has all the connectivity if you like. But if you not like it’s really shut off. At the moment the only way is how Snowden is doing it. He opens the phone at take out camera, microphone, gps… and if he like to use it he connects everything external.
The cost is also a lot lower, a no-data plan can cost as little as $5 per month with unlimited calls and text in country. If you wish to make overseas calls you will need to pay more cash, but if you wish a 2nd phone it’s a good idea.
Minimising my internet usage felt like dropping a drug addiction.
At first you feel empty or that your missing out, you feel twitchy without that dopamine hit.
But after a week your mind is so much fresher, you’re mental health better and you feel just so much healthier.
Great video.
You just became self aware and escaped the Matrix. Welcome, brother.
But seriously, ditching social media in 2008 was the best decision I ever made.
@@squidikka yeah okay sQuId GiRl
Somehow Moon is always based with all of his opinions
Please use your (possessive) free time to figure out how your and you're (contraction for you are) work.
It's true. You don't necessarily have to stop using internet you just have to leave the toxic side of it.
I use internet all the time and for all kind of things but I stopped using social media for quite sometime and trust me I've felt a huge difference and learned a lot about myself.
And reality isn't same for everyone.
You may feel the refreshing change after being absent from the internet but for a lot of people virtuality could be a reason that's keeping them alive because their reality is hell worse.
I really hate what smart phones and social media have done to my family relationships. I get ignored so often by several family members bc they keep picking up their phones while I'm trying to talk to them. When I ask them to stop using their phones while we're talking they get mad at me. Even my mom does this to me. She's one of the worst. I hate it so much. It's a constant anxiety for me whenever I'm trying to talk to them. I miss the old days when my mom and my siblings had regular phones and actually cared to talk to me properly.
My parents watch movies using their phones while eating.. with earplugs... each one of them watching something different while eating... boomers... yeah.. boomers doing that. The exact same people that accused me in the 90 for play way too much in my computer behaves like zombified people.
This has caused so much friction between me and my wife. She seems welded to her phone and she even keeps fiddling with it when we are having a 'wine and movie' night. She often ignores what I say because she's entirely focussed on the bloomin' thing, and I have to repeat everything. I love her dearly but I'm annoyed at her so often it is making me wonder.
@@holymegadave I feel your pain. It really makes me feel bitter that my parents talked bad about such things when I was a kid just to see them acting even worse now. :/
@@andyhowlett2231 Dude that's so rough. 😞 I really hope things will improve for y'all! 🥺🙏
@@peachysparkles very sad.. the world is a very strange place.
I stopped all social media years ago which felt great!! But now I’m addict to UA-cam 😑😑
UA-cam is social media.
@@bluestorm9651 Not really.... all you can do is write text, or respond to someone else's writing. You can't post images, and almost all of the time, it deletes any links posted. (if you are a serious content creator, that however is social media.)
@@typhoon320i that is social media. You are socializing when you write text for others to see, or respond.
I use YT to learn how to do things fix/repair etc and also bible sermons... Might need a dumb phone for emergency out on the road.
YT is the one platform I've got left to drop. Knowing what to do with attention and how to direct it is a first-world problem for sure. Not enough research or care has gone into understanding how misdirecting attention can damage a person. Social media is making generations socially inept and disconnected, like government corruption will get worse if people are happy to digest social media because it's filled with propaganda. Hopefully, we'll auto-correct soon.
I was on vacation in the Caribbean recently. I was completely without cellphone or computer. One evening, I went outside the hotel to admire the stars in the sky. When I came back in the lobby, I saw every tourist watching their smartphone and talking to nobody.
I have a smartphone, but I leave it home almost all the time. When I come back home from work, I look if I didn’t receive any call, and then I leave the phone there if I don’t have any phone call to make. I take the phone with me only if I know I will absolutely need it. What I like the most to do when I queue or when I’m in the bus, it’s reading a book.
Is that not sad. I stopped in a coffee shop early one morning, sat down to enjoy my cup and a sweet roll. A young couple in line behind me, got their order and sat down near me. Instantly, they both took out their phones, taking their eyes off the phone only long enough to pick up their cup and never spoke a word to each other nor looked the other in the face. Got up, still looking at their phones and walked out the door bumping into other people. Scary to think about them driving an automobile in public.
Sometimes I think about the fact that I cant remember what I had for lunch yesterday but a company in India knows my eating habits from a year ago based on scanning a QR code
check the menu from the restaurant before :P in the internet
I'm glad that restaraunts around me don't use QR code menu's, in fact I cannot think of a place I've been to that does those. Id rather have a paper menu that doesnt nag me and steals my data
I haven't used social media in probably 10 years except for UA-cam. What struck me is the fakeness of it. On Facebook I knew people who posted pictures of how great their lives were, nice cars and house, happy family etc but I knew in reality they were in debt to their eyeballs and the parents hated each others guts
On another note I have my original Sony Ericsson W810i from 2006, on the original battery. I still use it when I'm hiking in bad weather as a music phone.
It is not beneficial to stop using the internet. It is beneficial to stop using social networks, forums and chats full of annoying and narcissistic people. And disable the notifications you do not need. But yes, for people mistaking social networks with "the internet", it is probably easier to just use a simple phone...
Smart phones have tons of spyware imbedded in their programs
Actually, there were only 237.5 million dumbphones sold last year. Believing BBC can be dangerous to your brain!
So do dumb phones. In the us , patriot act killed our privacy
Yup, avoiding narcissists is the key and that makes up a large majority of the internet.
I miss the days we all sent eachother emails daily with memes jokes and videos etc
I remember as a child (Early 80's), in Ireland, when we were the only house on the road with a phone. When a call would come in for a neighbour, I would be sent to go get them. The phone number was 3 digits LOL. I was also responsible for buying the first ever mobile phones in the utility company I was working for back in the early 90's. They were literally bricks. I agree wholeheartedly with the sentiments in this video. People are too disconnected from each other while under the delusion they are more connected.
This is a long read. Smartphones was a miracle technology with so much advantages and had so many benefits. It was a telephone, a camera, a game console, a computer so lightweight and can fit in the palm of your hand. It revolutionized the entire world. The first time it was released everyone wanted one. Everyone was in awe and amazement. But I think everybody myself included was swept away by the tremendous impact of this technology that we completely disregarded the issues and flaws of this technology. Our mistake was that we didn't recognize the fact that smartphones have a great and often extremely negative psychological effect on many users. Significant effects that they can have extreme degradation to our mental health. The fact that some teens and even adults commit suicide because of the toxicity of social media is just insane. Imagine losing your loved one because of a brick with a screen. That's how psychologicallt damaging this tech could be for some people and I think our current generation had started to finally recognize and focus on this issue. The fact that there are now people who just "quit" using social media and smartphones and the fact that dumbphones are now rising in popularity is a clear response from the masses that no, we are sick of all these toxicities and psychological damage this devices bring to our children, our families and our lifestyle. We had enough and this needs to change. The rise of dumbphones is just the beginning of this change. I firmly believe that society will eventually reach an equilibrium where smartphone and social media usage will be in a level where we can reap the benefits but also avoid the psychological consequences so that this powerful device could be used in a way that truly benefits the user.
Isn't a flipphone a dumb phone?
Isn't the issue social media rather than the phone itself? It seems that people can't imagine a smartphone without social media.
@@arieljourdan2375 nope, throw away your smart phone, it's the bar's of the cage in China
What was amazing has been programmed and manipulated to control us.
@@arieljourdan2375 Unfortunately smartphones come with built-in apps most of the time and the average user cannot turn them off or remove them. They also have a shit ton of spyware even without you downloading anything.
A few weeks back i've started to put my smartphone on do not disturb mode for the entire day, this alone has increased my productivity by a long shot
100% all for this. I never asked for a 24/7 spam device. I have never set up my pay options on my phone, and most everyday I get some type of reminder I NEED to do that. Give me a break and take a hint. I just need you to be a phone. Not an information gather device looking to sell me stuff.
Coma, the big tech companies know everything about you 24/7.
"Smart phones are just tracking devices that you can sometimes make calls on."
~ Terminal List
The phone is called smartphone, but its only smart on the hands of a smart person. Your phone is controlling you instead of you controlling the phone because you are using default setup and didn't bother to learn the features available. Most famous apps have different channels for notifications, so you can get from your bank a credit card payment notification but block the promotions notifications.
@@drac124 I have a Master's in Computer Science. You must be ASSuming ...
@@comatose3788 then use your knowledge
I have a smart phone but its older, an Iphone 6. I got it when released and as long as it works I see no reason to update to the newest most expensive thing. I use it to make calls, GPS, text, weather, and the occasional photo. That's it. I don't care for games or video or accessing the net on such a small screen and I don't listen to music on it because I believe in the importance of situational awareness. I like to know what is going on around me at all times so mostly I just leave the phone in my pocket and pay attention to, you know...life.
If you use the tools included in your smart phone, It has the ability to never beep or bother you. Including calls and texts. Get rid of social media. Use Your phone. Don't let it use you.
I got rid of almost everything.. now if I could just get rid of UA-cam 😊
@@moonmissy adb delete.
I agree with that, but if someone is addicted to something you have to take away the temptations.
For me, the size of the phone also becamse a problem. I'm a woman, with woman-sized hands, and often women's pants (and a hatred of purses). It's hard to carry and hold any smart phone. They are all too big. When I had made the decision to get a flip phone, I couldn't get away from my stupid brick of a smart phone fast enough.
Exactly. Just use the phone features. Learn about this pocket computer you have available. Can do wonders.The phone is called smartphone, but its only smart on the hands of a smart person.
I not only hope this trend continues, but that it spreads like wildfire! we are not made to be accessible at every moment, and no one gets better or function very well or for long when being bombarded with expressions and information 24/7 we need down time to digest. not only food but thoughts, impressions and experiences as well.
I’m 44 and 1 day (dec 30th 2021) after 32 years of smoking I decided to quit smoking it’s been almost a year and I don’t feel like I need it. I figured out why so suden and how I was able to succeed and figured out that I really hated it. I know from watching this video that 1 day I’ll probably leave smart phone because of the need to just look at them every 2 minutes. Just like smoking. Congratulations on such an amazing content 🎉
You could "dumb down" your smartphone by deleting apps that distract you. Keep the essentials and that's it. Why buy a new one? Why fall for the same materialistic game? You don't need a new phone to keep things real.
@@bluefernlove yo are totally right, I probably will do neither.... buy a new one or dumb my phone down, its a matter of control which I lack and I think I have to think over how much time to put my self into the screen and that will be more satisfying.
@@alejandrosm8955 I just got a PAYG SIM, and asked the phone company to disable the data connection. That pretty much does it. You can switch it off, on an Android phone, but it's too easy for it to get turned back on, e.g. by the phone trying to update all the apps.
I never used one as a smart phone though. It just seemed like a really poor deal compared to a home internet connection.
For longer battery life, an old Nokia with a new battery probably beats most things.
I made the switch to a dumb phone going on 4 years ago. I don't plan on ever going back to a "smart" phone., my life is far better without it in every way. My only suggestion would be to make a much better quality camera (more pixels) function, as that is what people like to do, with families, projects, landscapes, and such. I do hope the trend continues with the upgrade mentioned.
I'm pretty sure the beauty of smartphone pictures comes from heavyweight CPU touching up the shot on the fly
seems to me you'll need to start wearing your digital camera around again
I have a smartphone and I hardly ever take photos. I prefer to be present in the place and moment, making actual memories, rather than scanning for the best place to take a photo or looking at a view via a screen.
I think people can turn off the notifications on their smart phone as I did and uninstall the social media app and turn off the news feed and everything but still have access to the internet and other benefits. I think it all comes to self-discipline. Great video Dagogo. Love your work and your channel. Thanks for all the info. 😊😊😊
If you have an alcoholic, what do you think it will work, putting a lot of vodka bottles in his room and saying him: You have to choose if you drink or not, - Or not giving him alcohol at all?
I miss my flip phone. Having ADHD, my smart phone is such a time suck and I find I struggle to let go of the immediate pleasure of it for longer term rewards and engaging in more enriching things.
I have ADHD, I'm 45 and since smart phones all the so-called normal people have passed me by when it comes to short attention spans. No one can focus on anything anymore!
Get a galaxy Z flip
@@notreallyhim ...why would I want to do that?
the old razer flip phones are probably the best looking phones ever made.
The reasons that I'm on my smartphone most of the time include gaining perspective from videos like this, soothing background music, listening to sermons/talks/lessons that align with my values beliefs and grow me as a person, and finding resources to teach my kids in homeschool, playing with my kids on their games, making friends and connecting across thousands of miles. I think it can be used for good, though I understand the issue and the overuse of it. It's hard to believe they've only been out for about 15 years!
Never had a smart phone or joined Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc etc etc. I like to talk to people,
face to face, you know, like a human being. It's only face to face communication that tells you about
the person you are talking to...psychology has known for a long time that the info we get when
talking face to face is actually 60% 'non verbal' ! The movement of body, arms, head etc, plus tone
of voice and slight inflections during speech, eye movements, volume of voice, they all tell us something
whether we are conscious of it or not, our brain takes it all in and forms opinions, levels of understanding,
character of the other person, feelings of like, trust, uncertainty, or need more info etc etc etc. That's why
social media can be such a hateful and egotistical atmosphere, because we never truly know who we
are dealing with, what their intentions are, we can get the wrong messages so easily and we don't get the
true emotional cues in such environments as Twitter etc.
We are naturally gregarious, that's what we are designed to be and online communication gives you
60% less information, so it works against our natural face to face communication design !
4:44 Yeah those restaurants frustrated me a lot. I used a Nokia for 7 years of my life (2014-2021) and I'd just have a friend scan those QR codes for me. They'd always tease when I'd gt a smartphone. When I finally did, I try my best to just use it for essentials. The advantage of "Growing up on dumb phones" is you've already trained yourself to not be super attached to your phone. I feel for Smartphone users COMING DOWN to a Dumb Phone, it must feel like coming off a drug. It is hard, but it's definitely worth it to pump the brakes a bit on Social Media Apps.
I hardly use Instagram anymore (literal months between my posts) I just tweet once like every week or so (Used to be daily) and YT I obviously have to keep up with, since I've had the fortune to make some income from it and I do respect my audience enough to keep providing entertainment for them! I definitely think Social Media is still cool for connecting humans together and I cherish that aspect, but being Terminally online is DEFINITELY a real problem these days too!
*Here are a few solutions to getting directions without using your phone:*
-Get to know your neighborhood.
-Print out directions to your designation.
-Purchase a map.
-Memorize your surroundings.
Four years ago I bought a new motor cycle, being E4 and a small bike it was whisper quiet, three times in the first fortnight I had to brake hard because smart phone zombies stepped out in front of me. I do not like noisy bikes, but in the interest of safety I made the exhaust a bit louder. This set me thinking and I threw my smartphone away. Life has been a lot more relaxed since.
12:48 This “compromise mode” of “only calls, text, audio and navigation” you suggest (I would throw in the digital camera as well) sounds surprisingly like the original iPhone from 2007.
I bought old Dell PDAs (x50 c.2004) to use for notes, scheduling, and light internet use. It's refreshing not being constantly blasted with notifications and advertisements!
It's an interesting movement but there are two things that would prevent me from it. 1. in Brazil, where I live, most banking (paying, transferring money etc) is done by the bank's app, and most banks don't even have physical agencies or atms anymore. Most people haven't handled cash since 2020, some stores don't even take cash anymore. 2. most government services are now digital, most people don't even carry a driver's license since they have on their app.
I got off Facebook a couple of years ago and felt better almost immediately!
Sounds almost as good as no-phone. People can't just disturb you anytime they want. It can wait till you are home and listen to your answering machine.
I went without a phone for about 5 years in my mid twenties. Everyone thought I was nuts. I hate being expected to stop what I'm doing and immediately respond to someone because they decided to contact me on a whim. It was stressing me out so I cut everyone off. I have a phone now which stays on silent, and everyone understands that I will get back to them on my own time. It's wonderful.
@@OmnipotentJC I've done something similar, I keep my phone on flight for the whole week, and only converse by emails if something urgent comes up, only on Sunday I turn it on!!
Saved a lot of time and headache!!
😓😑🙍
Sometimes having the ability to send calls and messages is just really good to have. Like when you are out somewhere and need to call a ride or your car gets stranded and you need to call a tow truck or something. Having a phone for that is good, you just don't need internet in your pocket all the time.
I am a 21 year old who completely turned off all notifications. People can't seem to grasp the fact that I don't want to drop everything I am doing for them. I wish people would do things in person more or "swing by" like they used to in the good ol' days lol
I think my generation - gen-x - has it the best. We grew before the internet/cell phones but have learnt how to use them, so we use them and don't let them use us. For example I think the solution is to have a smartphone - as I do - so I can use it for navigation, banking, checking timetables, researching products I need to buy, listen to music and radio and all the good things, but not using it for any other bad - for example I don't do social(ist) media at all.
I don't think the problem is "smartphones" as much as it's "Social Media." It's literally designed from the start to be addictive, and studies have shown that it has a negative impact on the people that use it.
Your smartphone is designed the exact same way lol. It is why you will randomly pull your phone out, unlock it, and then have no idea what you are doing.
The phone is the dealer,social media is the drug.
I mean, yeah, it is social media. However no smartphones today are designed to disincentivize the feedback systems that bring you back to consuming social media. I don't see why so many people are adamant about opposing people who just are tired of their smartphones, because truly - it IS the smartphones (as they are designed now) that propagate these issues. There's nothing wrong with seeking an alternative especially when you're no longer using any of the features that are unique anymore with a smartphone (such as within those examples where people say "Why get a dumbphone? Just use your smartphone and remove all the apps").
Plus if it meant that every phone replacement was like 1/6th the price of a smartphone, there was a lot more variety in size, etc. Then it'd be beyond nice to have a larger updated dumbphone market instead of just entitling the phone market to only being smartphones when there are people who are moving away from whatever makes them smart. That's what I think at least. Getting a 'less-capable' phone is just the logical side-step next to getting rid of social media. There is no functional compromise there at this point.
@@zachrat9083 One good step that helped me is turning off all forms of raise to wake and tap to wake. The only way I can turn my phone on is intentionally pressing the power button.
I think any business that is requiring the use of a smart phone should deal with the loss of business that comes from that bizarre expectation. I'm happy to see this trend growing.
It's a growing trend and it's an exciting trend. I use a Punkt MP02 and also trying to use a Mudita Pure although my carrier has an issue with this I believe. I find the whole 'switching-off' very encouraging and particularly when it's done by younger people.
This video gives me hope in humanity. Thank you very much!
I got rid of my smartphone before the shutdowns of 2020 and it was one of the best things I ever did. Since buying my current house I find myself really wanting to get rid of my home internet but I have a weekly video chat with friends and I would genuinely miss.
4:30 Everyone a dumb phone, QR codes will dissapeare
I got a SMART phone about 3 mths. ago. No body show you had to set up and I complained about not having a book of directions. Hubby laughed and said they don't give directions. I'm 58 years old trying to figure it out. These Dumb phones sound wonderful to me.
You can look up UA-cam tutorials to show you how to use any phone or get someone who already is familiar with them to show you. Hope that helps!
Chewy, be careful, smartphones can track everything about you 24/7.
i have a punkt MP02 phone and i love it. my iphone is now my backup (if i am traveling, or going to a baseball game and need to have tickets on my cell). lack of maps is by far the biggest drawback of a dumbphone, but you just get used to checking directions and subway info before you leave. social media and internet rarely are really needed before you get back home.
For me, I want to get a dumb phone soon to kinda be a part of the revolution to stop everything around us requiring smart phones, like how he mentioned the QR codes in restaurants for example, or tickets being only on phones or how school is impossible now without a phone.
Phones should never be allowed in school
If there would be a dumbphone with only a few key features that a smartphone has, such as maps, bus and train times, and a decent camera in case you spot something interesting, I would get one as a gen z
I did this experiment back in 2021 when i was preparing to go into college and used a nokia 3310 for 9 months but i guess you have to realize that unless we use that free time to do something productive there's isn't much use to it. But of course it helped me with my social anxiety and i think i got out of that teenage depression phase because i stayed away from my phone. So yea it's worth a go
It's actually funny that she always claim her getting rids of technology for years but still managed to stir up drama when necessary on social media for the attention
A smartphone that can convert to a dumbphone?! SIGN ME UP.
Old Blackberry was the perfect amount of convenience. Texting apps and navigation is all you really need.
If your work is online carry a second phone just for that and put it away after.
Also once you disconnect you see who really cares about you because without social media most people wont even message you.
Not to mention it's become a huge security issue.
Przemek Olejniczak - say Pshemek Oleynitshak, Lector's pronunciation made my day.
And btw, you don't have to check everything before travelling if you don't have a smartphone. You can ask locals 🙂 Being a kid I went to Tatra Mountains with no reservation, map or a tourist guide. Got into a bus to some lovely village and rented a room from someone standing next to me (it was very crowded). We have a proverb: "a tip of your tongue is your guide" (koniec języka za przewodnika) or "the one who is asking is not getting lost". For some kids nowadays it should go: "better charge your battery than be lost".
Have thought about this, but I have essesntial tools on the smartphone (calendar, maps + a few more) But there are no social media apps and all notifications are disabled. It seems like a lot of people don't know how to control their smartphone.
Get a pad and a wall calendar. Excuses
Right? My nokia used to blow up from calls and texts constantly, which guess what, I had to mute!
My life changed to the better when I put the phone on silent and turned on do-not-disturb for sleep hours. I use vibration only for calls. Sometimes I even forget where it is, there's no LED activity while on battery saver(always except fitness tracking and navigation). I think we gotta balance it out, and it will happen.
But for activities and daily life I don't mind using my phone as my wallet, music player, fitness tracker and camera.
Yet, I wouldn't mind an alternate dumbphone for off-days. That Light Phone looks so appealing!
The integration is a huge problem.
But if you have what it takes to not install social media on your spartpone.
It is practically just a phone with some integrated devices that would otherwise be quite cumbersome to carry around.
I practically only use a novel app, public transport ticket service apps etc.
But the most useful apps is google maps that is irreplicable for when you go to unfamiliar places.
that would otherwise require a guide or taxi ride to even find.
Google maps?
How about an actual map or a gps device?
Google maps is totally unnecessary.
We've just become lazy.
64 year old Light Phone II user here. I love the mission specific interface of this device, as it's more well thought out than the "friendly for seniors" Android phones that are typically marketed to my demographic. I delete most texts before I read them, but the Light forwards them to my computer's email account. So, the 1 in 20 of those that might actually be useful is documented there. If I want to communicate by typing I'd much rather do that on a device with a real keyboard, such as my laptop computer. I'm not an internet minimalist, but one who chooses his tools carefully.
QR code menu? No paper menu? I'LL GO ELSEHWERE.
If you want to 'dumb' your current smartphone (and have an android), look at a launcher like OLauncher. It is very reminiscent of the display of the light phone 2. I got it yesterday and it is making a difference so far. It won't delete any of your apps, but reduces your homescreen to a selection of 4-8 apps which you can choose.
I am grateful to all making this stand. My granddaughter was born on 1-27-22, and by 1-27-23 was put into hospice care for the cancer that is consuming her little body. Where does a mother rest her phone while pregnant. I KNOW this is why she was basically born with cancer. Please consider this when going to purchase a phone. And please warn pregnant women. The Medical iDustrial Complex is owned and run by the Deceivers, so I don't see them warning anyone soon, as there's no profit in healthy humans. Be proud to be using a dumb phone, you're doing it for the children.
What I really want is exactly this: a dumb phone mode on a smartphone. But it needs to be a smartphone that does not become garbage after 4 years. I am typing this on a 14-year old desktop running current version of Linux. There is still no need to change it to something newer, because hardware specification for PCs is open. But with a smartphone, the manufacturer keeps the ins-and-outs of the hardware secret, so there is no way to keep it secure after update period runs out. They just force you to buy a new one. We are throwing away perfectly serviceable hardware. Manufacturers abuse copyright law that was never meant to make people hostages to throwaway phones. And that's why it's a dumb phone for me, until I find an open hardware smartphone.
Growing up as mobiles were becoming popular and getting my first Nokia 3315, I still have a lot of nostalgia for those simple times (minus the phone bill and paying to send and receive texts!)
I’ve put my iPhone in a locked down mode with screen time restrictions using a passcode my partner set and can’t tell me. Meaning social media apps can’t be installed. There are time limits I can spend on certain apps. All notifications have been disabled except phone and messages.
I feel better for it. My screen time has gone down significantly, I actually went to the library and got back into reading.
I haven’t found myself stuck on TikTok or reels and all of a sudden it’s 2am and I don’t know where the time went or what I’ve been doing.
I think dumb phones are great but I’m not ready to give up maps, music and podcasts yet.
I just want calling, texting, navigation, and audible.
As self described practical technologist (someone who will wait for what they have to wear out, but will ALWAYS replace it with the latest and greatest when it does) this entire idea is a regression in every way and a result of someone preferring to take the easy way out rather than controlling their smartphone instead of letting it control them.
I really love to go around town, visit places, and live my life in general without anything digital. I frequently leave home with absolutely nothing in my pocket, or maybe just a little cash in case I wanted to gram a drink or buy something simple. It is a great feeling.
It's not the smartphone we need to stay away from. It's the social media apps we need to avoid.
I initially did this - I went out a bought a flip phone and it was great tbh. But it had keys on it like the old school ones, so texting was a pain. I ended up switching back to a 6 year old smartphone that's kinda slow but its just so basic I don't even think of using anything on it. If I absolutely had to access the internet then that option is still there, for GPS or info or something. I think that is the happy medium. Dig out your old smartphone, and use it pretty much as a dumb phone.
The phone is called smartphone, but its only smart on the hands of a smart person. Your phone is controlling you instead of you controlling the phone because you are using default setup and didn't bother to learn the features available. Your phone have processing power to control a satellite, but most people doesn't even know what Tasker is.
Android gives you a lot of control of those disturbances mentioned in the video. Most famous apps have different channels for notifications, so you can get from your bank a credit card payment notification but block the promotions notifications. You can get block messages notifications (which gave my life back) but when I have time and I'm willing to, I check whatsapp messages. Social media in general just don't use it. There's not need to use a dumb phone or even to think the smartphone is annoying and asking for attention all the time.
I've managed without a mobile phone of ANY kind since September 2019 (it's December 2022 as I type this). May this trend continue and deepen. I cannot more heartily recommend consciously "opting" FOR WHAT YOU REALLY IDEALLY WANT!
it's really sad. In my university, the only way you can get lunch is through an app and our clubs basically contact each other through text groups. It's annoying how I can't get rid of this completely
This is awesome! I have a smart phone, but I try to only look at it once a day at the most, but often don't look at it for weeks and months. Yes, I'm very hard to contact, but I don't really care. I like being disconnected. That being said, I am addicted to UA-cam on my tablet and watch it for many hours a day.
I have just dumbed all notifications from any social media. As well as no pings from email, WhatsApp, yt or anything or any app I have installed.
That way I'm in control and check in when it suits me. I'm no FB or insta addict anyway but this emphasises my absence from all platforms. Self control is the key. Disconnect from your dopamine addiction
As a tech enthusiast I both can't imagine ever getting rid of smartphone at all and at the same time completely embrace the imagination of a somehow smartphone free society
ColdFusion TV is the biggest addiction in my life.
What sucks is in my city there's no way to buy bus tickets anymore. You either use the app or you can't get on the bus or train
I tried it and it's really hard to actually function in society. I was a problem when looking for work because they don't do calls or SMS anymore and digital footprint becomes a necessity for better jobs. Social colleagues also wouldn't really keep in touch unless you have a social message app. I used a simple phone for almost a year and it felt a bit isolating. I had a laptop to study and entertainment and became more and more enclosed in my room.
You can get dumb phones with WhatsApp and email now, I have one!
I have never really used social media on my phone and my data plan is terrible so I think that has spared me from most of these gripes. As a Geocacher and someone that snaps a lot of pictures though I could never give up my smartphone.
It feels like more and more things that are necessary for everyday life (banking etc.) are focused on the smartphone, so living without it is becoming increasingly difficult. When I went to the bus station, there weren't even bus schedules, just a notice telling me to check the schedules online for crying out loud.
My Samsung has a 'Maximum Power Saving Mode' which allows you to use only a handful of apps, and increases the battery life significantly. It essentially becomes a not-so-smart phone. The control is in your hands people, your smartphone is not your enemy. You make it what you want it to be.
i have NEVER dined at a restaraunt or business where you had to scan anything. that freaks me out. i think the only thing i would miss from my smartphone is the gps maps. i hate getting lost.
I lost my smart phone and had no mobile phone at all for about 2 months a few years ago. While I found it perhaps a little inconvenient, I didn't actually mind. Everyone else was more concerned than I was and I found I really didn't want a mobile phone. Now I have an iPhone 12 and before that had a pixel 2, but I've been much more intentional about the apps and things I put on them.
I still use my Nokia 6300 (2007), Nokia 301 and Nokia XpressMusic 5610.
Most modern dumb phones and flip phones have trackers, internet, Facebook, UA-cam and HD photos. Those are the only things that you need on them. Everything else is not necessary.
Her Nokia can in fact scan QR codes. Most of today's Nokia phones have KaiOS, which has a store where you can download QR code readers. However, in earlier Java-enabled Symbian devices such as the Nokia E51 that I am currently using, have support for java apps. You can easily find a java-based QR code reader online, or scan one by the Opera Mini browser.
This was a refreshing video to listen to.
It's one of the most technological ironies that smart phones have outsmart most phone users and they are almost psychologically addicted to them. I used to be one of them but nowadays days I rather use my PC more than my phone. Thank you and it is about time that I had to purchase a dumb phone.
As soon as my smartphone dies, I'm doing it. I'll get a gps for my car, and just use my computer for internet! Bring it!
Fifteen years ago people sat at the dinner table and talked to each other; talk about their day, what they did, who they met, etc. What an absolute bore. Now we sit at the dinner table and we’re on our smartphones; what a wonderful world we live in now; if we want to speak to someone, we text them, even if they’re just across the table from you - and don’t want to go back to what it was before.
One small step is turning off push notifications for most apps. When i got one FB notifications reminding me to check my &other* notifications, i just turned them off.
Android allows you to turn off notifications on an app basis. A feature I have been using for 3 years. I do not have the ringer on either or on vibrate. The only sound my phone makes when I am not explicitly using it is the alarm to wake me up or remind me to leave to catch a train.
Initially, my choice to buy a dumb--phone about half a decade ago was sheerly made for budget reasons. I'd not long moved into a new home and I wanted to save as much cash as I could. Ever since the pandemic, I've come to appreciate how good it was to disconnect from the toxicity of social media. It was bad enough at the time having access to those sites on my desktop - I can't think of how much worse things would have gotten if I had them in my pocket too. There are advantages to smartphones of course - for instance, an app like Google Maps or similar makes it a lot easier to find your way around a strange town than it would using a paper map or asking for directions. But if you're so addicted to your smartphone that your mental well-being is at stake, take my word for it, it's time to ditch it in favour of a dumb-phone.
I've turned off most notifications now but I'm not sure I can live without it.
The 1st thing that I do whenever i install an app - I took off all notifcations. When i am with people I am present.
I pretty much always used ny snart phone as a dumb phone as I never used social media too actively or have a very active social life in the first place. My phone is mostly a youtube machine and e-reader beyond it's functionality as a phone and switching to a "dumb phone" would not improve my life.
That being said if these people feel like they have to disconnect entirely to combat their soc media addiction, that is an entirely fine way to go about it.
Ronin, smartphones can track everything about you 24/7.
@@earlysda And?
@@earlysda I turned off my sensors on my Samsung phone to limit tracking expecially since I'm sick and tired of Google trying to listen to what someone is saying so they can sell crappy ads. Oh and I use modified android clients for UA-cam and Discord. That's why I don't get ads on my YT feed and get a lot more feature out of Discord
@@Wazoru Armenep, that's a good step, but still, even with the phone turned off, it is sending out location signals.
The thing I miss the most are the hard keys. I just looked at the Tmobile shop and they don't have dumb phones anymore.
Years ago, I got a job at T-mobile. When I started, I was told that I HAD to have a cell phone since the job required on-call shifts. I was also told that I would be required to have my work email on my smartphone. I realized that if my required cell was a smartphone, then I would be "on-call" 24/7, whether I was the official on-call engineer or not. I wanted a life, so I purposely chose a flip phone for my cell. Nowhere was it written that I was required to have a smartphone, just a cell. The assumption was that if I had a cell, it would be a smartphone.
One of the managers complained, but the higher-ups and HR both said I was within the rules. The manager wanted the rules changed, but those same higher-ups said NO.
I learned later that a number of those higher-ups ALSO kept dumb phones so they could have a life. I suspect THAT was why they refused to change the rules. Before I left, there were a number of others who had downgraded to get their life back. It didn't hurt that my flip phone had longer battery life and clearer speakerphone (useful when you have to type in console commands at the same time).
I just bought a light phone and my work mates say "how are you going to stay conected?" "You're young just use the internet" it is honestly sad how after only a few years it is now controlling us
i get laughed at at school sometimes for the phone but then i always realize what kinda kids those are and continue doing what i do.
Accessibility would be my issue. I have a visual impairment and wouldn't be confident in a feature phone having the features I need to read it. And there's also the fact that my phone often serves as my main means of navigation, as a magnifier etc. To get many of those features, I'd need to carry at least two additional devices.
Addiction to instant gratification via a smartphone is a huge problem. But there are two simple things that anyone can do to mitigate the problem - 1. turn off all notifications and put your phone out of sight. 2. Actually turn your phone off from time to time and definitely, at night. Just those 2 simple things will remove most of the negatives mentioned in this video.
I hate cell phones , everyone expects you to have one , the things make me a nervous wreck. Email services want cell phone numbers now , not everyone HAS A CELL PHONE ! Great video! The companies don't seem to understand not everyone wants these phones , I have email , I only access through a computer !
i use a smartphone, its useful for getting online but i just came off all social media 5 years ago, no facebook, instagram, nothing. Its amazing.
Surely it's unfair to require possession of an expensive, failure-prone electronic device designed to be obsolete in a short time, in order to carry out the functions of daily life such as shopping, using transit, paying bills, etc. Many cannot afford a smart phone; many have no desire for one. Leaving aside the question of so-called "addiction", laws need enacting to protect those who do not opt for an electronically-tethered life.
I've been doing this for I think coming up on a year now. Sweden is horrible in the sense that we have to own a phone in order to have BankID. The way I see it, I'm the change I want to see in the world.
A part of me has been wanting to swap out my smartphone for a dumb phone for daily use, didn't realize I was far from the only one.
I switched back to a dumb phone about 3 months ago. I'm loving it. I get more done.
That's great until you realize that many older "dumbphones" are useless with your cellphone carrier. Reason: the cellphone carriers are starting to turn off 2G and 3G CDMA/GSM digital cellular support in favor of Voice over LTE (VoLTE). Just that really limits you to the newest model of feature phones out there.
I’d like to have the “ I call it Snowden phone “ it has all the connectivity if you like. But if you not like it’s really shut off. At the moment the only way is how Snowden is doing it. He opens the phone at take out camera, microphone, gps… and if he like to use it he connects everything external.
The cost is also a lot lower, a no-data plan can cost as little as $5 per month with unlimited calls and text in country. If you wish to make overseas calls you will need to pay more cash, but if you wish a 2nd phone it’s a good idea.
What's really great about dumbphones is that you never have to worry if your phone's smarter than you.