In an era dominated by digital devices, Charlie Fisher, a 20-year-old college student, found himself grappling with a severe addiction to his smartphone. His daily routine involved incessantly scrolling through TikTok and Instagram every morning, constantly checking text messages between classes, and using his phone as a crutch in social situations. This cycle created a "never-ending pattern" of anxiety and self-loathing. "It just basically created this pattern where I was anxious, and so I'd open my smartphone, and then I would hate myself for opening my smartphone, which made me more anxious," Fisher explains. Surprisingly, he now leads a smartphone-free life, claiming that his overall well-being has significantly improved since making this change.
Fisher is part of a growing movement among college students who are opting for flip phones, a retro choice that has gained a trendy appeal. Reflecting on his childhood, Fisher remembers a time when he played basketball and Nerf guns with friends in his cul-de-sac. However, the introduction of Snapchat altered their interactions, leading to a decline in face-to-face connections. By the time he reached high school, smartphones had become ubiquitous, and nearly half of teens reported being online constantly, according to 2024 data from the Pew Research Center. Alarmingly, 48% of teens aged 13 to 17 believe that social media negatively affects their peers.
Fisher reflects, “It got to the point where I didn't even know what being present was.” The idea of using a flip phone intrigued him, leading him to purchase a $20 Nokia at Walmart with a $6 monthly plan. Initially, he wavered between his smartphone and flip phone for a year but finally made the leap to a smartphone-free lifestyle in March. His experience mirrors that of Seán Killingsworth, 22, who noticed the adverse effects smartphones had on social interactions. He describes his peers as “zombies,” detached from genuine social connections. After acquiring a flip phone during high school, Killingsworth faced challenges in making friends due to the awkwardness surrounding his choice of communication.
While studying at Rollins College, Killingsworth sought to foster genuine connections by organizing casual gatherings without phones. This initiative eventually evolved into the first chapter of the Reconnect Movement, which has expanded to other campuses, including the University of Florida and the University of Central Florida. Upcoming chapters are set to launch at schools like Simpson College in Iowa. These events feature activities such as outdoor sports, painting, and lighthearted debates, encouraging students to connect without the interference of technology. “It’s a way to see and be able to experience what is possible with just connecting with a group of people for no reason,” Killingsworth remarks.
The addiction to smartphones spans across devices and platforms, primarily driven by algorithms that curate content for users, according to digital literacy expert Kaitlyn Regehr, the author of “Smartphone Nation.” Factors such as notification prompts, screen refresh rates, and color saturation contribute to this addiction. Yann Poncin, a child psychiatrist and Yale School of Medicine professor, identifies three significant ways smartphones affect the brain: hindering productivity, reducing cognitive patience, and rewiring the brain's pleasure pathways. Poncin explains, “Your dopamine system, over time, is getting set in a way that to trigger dopamine release and a feel-good release, you actually now need this phone.”
Since transitioning to a flip phone, Fisher has rekindled his passion for music, dedicating more time to instruments like the harmonica and guitar. He noted that watching movies has become a more immersive experience, allowing him to remember details vividly. "I've been seeing things more like when I was a kid," Fisher shares. Similarly, Logan Lane, a junior at Oberlin College, found unexpected benefits in terms of her personal style after ditching her smartphone. Lane, who gained attention for founding the Luddite Club in Brooklyn, now enjoys expressing herself through fashion, free from the influence of TikTok trends.
Killingsworth has observed significant changes in his peers since launching the Reconnect Movement. At first, gatherings felt awkward, as students adjusted to being without their phones. However, within 15 minutes, even the most socially anxious participants engaged in lively conversations. "You'd be surprised how many other people are feeling the exact same way you are about social media," he notes. While most club members don’t own flip phones, Killingsworth acknowledges that the transition isn’t suitable for everyone.
For those contemplating a digital detox, Fisher advises against going cold turkey, suggesting instead to gradually reduce social media usage. He also highlights the challenges of adapting to life without a smartphone, such as texting on a T9 keyboard or navigating without apps like Google Maps. Lane, for instance, learned to draw maps by hand to find her way to events. Fisher, a music engineer, resorted to transferring his CD collection onto an iPod to maintain access to his music.
For individuals hesitant to make the switch, Regehr recommends keeping a “phone-fed journal” to track phone usage and its emotional impact. Simple adjustments like enabling grayscale mode, disabling notifications, and setting app time limits can provide immediate relief. Additionally, she advocates for a digital spring cleaning, encouraging users to unfollow accounts that do not contribute positively to their well-being. This approach, termed “algorithm resistance,” empowers users to curate their digital experiences actively.
In conclusion, the trend of opting for flip phones among college students represents a broader desire to reclaim authentic connections and experiences in a world increasingly dominated by smartphones and social media.
