Why is Gen Z ditching smartphones for flip phones?

More and more young people are dialing into the joys of simple tech by flocking to flip phones. The trend is driven by a desire to dial back screen time and the use of social media. NBC’s Emilie Ikeda reports for TODAY.

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#trending #tiktok #flipphone

[johanayala]

I'm 20 years old. I believe that having social media and having a computer in our pocket made life different. I'm all for going back to flip phones. Hopefully, this is not a fad.

[PooFace]

Finally the media is pushing a positive and constructive story. Social media and the internet has been pure cancer for a long time. Im all for the kids using the phones like when I was in high school.

[darkwoodmovies]

In my humble opinion, technology peaked in the mid 2000s. All the insane innovation and consumerism of the past 15 years kinda tore society apart. People are depressed, lonely, and absolutely addicted to their phones. Before the iPhone, we still had pretty good modern tech but it wasn't "good" enough to take over our entire lives yet.

[eisaiyoohoo]

As a gen z dude i seriously hope these come back. I only had one when i was in 6th grade because my mom gave it to me for safety. After that ive only had a smartphone and now i just graduated high school and i feel as if every day is so mundane and half my time is spent scrolling mindlessly on apps. I know that obviously a flip phone wont necessarily solve that issue but it sure will help me cut some of my screen time and make me more focused on the other things around me. Main reason i dont wanna ditch having a smartphone is because i have a huge fear of missing out on anything but thats just something i have to overcome. Besides, old tech is pretty neat visually. Ive seen vids of people decorating flip phones in an oldschool type of way

[anthonygonzalez]

I really do hope flip phones do making a comeback again.

[ashashlife]

I'm a 28 year old millennial but can easily pass for Gen Z since most people think I'm a lot younger. I permantly deleted my Facebook a little over a year ago now and have no desire to create an account again. In the meantime I learned to crochet and knit the past year and many more things without spending wasted time scrolling through social media. Also, I have a flip phone amd had one for a few years now. I'm a happy camper! ☺️

[thecheeseman]

I don’t pay much attention to the trends of my peers but it feels validating to see others in my generation who had the same problems as me with social media addiction going to the same solution.

I’m not alone.

Will be switching to a TCL flip go as soon as it comes in and then rooting it to get Spotify and a metronome installed.

[eliezerlogronio]

Just got my flip phone yesterday. The "withdrawal" from my smart phone isn't that easy as it became a part of me since I have my first job in 2014. Texting will take you ages. Also, you Don't have a lot of things to do on it except listening to FM Radio (which reminds me of my college days). But the good thing about going back to flip phones is that I learn how to live in the moment, become more observant around my surroundings and of course to focus on myself with little to no distractions from social media. Thanks Gen Z for making this a thing again. Millennial here from the Philippines 🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭

[TheIntendedOutcome]

As much as I’m annoyed that it’s becoming more of a ‘fad’, I’m glad people are thinking about their mental health.

[andyhowlett]

Not only Gen Z, but we Boomers are stepping away. After resisting for years, I finally got a smartphone for emergencies but it drove me mad with its never-ending notifications (usually about crap) and pinging. I got a Doro 6620 flip-phone instead and it's great. It sits in my pocket and it doesn't bother me until someone rings. The battery lasts for ages too. What gets me really mad is that so many of our services, stores and facilities are now almost impossible to access if you don't have a smartphone. They just assume everyone has one. I'm finding myself locked out of so many things because I haven't got one. Even parking your car seems to require a smartphone and a bl**dy app!

[loucura_loucura_]

Because social media and all the distractions that It causes, is making us, the most recent and self -aware (or at least we thought) generation, quitting It. And it's Sad that more people aren't doing It YET.

[kitcat]

As a gen Z I wouldn't mind flip phones coming back. I had many until I got my first smart phone in 2013. I still have the muscle memory for the keys because I texted so much.

However since smart phones are required at school and work I don't know how flip phones could become mainstream again. Maybe if smart phones were used only for education, work and econonic stuff....and 'dumb phone' for a free time.

[justagenzontheinternet]

They deserve a comeback, let's stop AI from improving further and go back before it's too late!

[cynicalnerdycinephile]

while we're at it, let's bring back crt TVs and old PCs and old gaming consoles. A step to restore what the smartphones took from us

[iceangele]

I not gonna lie i miss my razor phone lol

[FioNensa]

I was born on in the Year 2000 also first of all what doesn't make sense is if your ditching your smartphone why are you taking photos with your smartphone, also it was during the 1990s and early 2000s, when Vehicle's used to be less expensive sadly the 1990s and early 2000s is gone

[leileilove]

Born 1992 just got a flip phone yesterday and i love it ❤

[bmwolgas]

I'm 42 so was lucky enough to part of the last generation to go through school and college without smartphones. I've owned a flip phone for nearly 20 years now and have never bought a smart phone.

[JamesTheOnlyRealOne]

2 weeks ago I was literally thinking about getting one, this is crazy

[Night_blade]

i got both a smartphone and a flip phone but i will say the flip phone is more fun and more unique it was a choice i made to have one and i love it