Parents and teens alike are trading in their smartphones for “dumber” models to help stay offline.

  • WFloyd@lemmy.world
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    5 months ago

    I tried this myself, but it’s hard for a few reasons:

    • Messaging actually takes more time (defeats some of the purpose)
    • No banking apps (inconvenient)
    • No proprietary 2FA (nonstarter for work reasons)
    • No “let me Google that real quick” moments (comparison shopping when in store, looking up a phone number for a restaurant, etc.).
    • Their cameras universally suck

    Some “dumb” phones still have a web browser and such, so you’re not completely out of luck, but it’s painful.

    • Obi@sopuli.xyz
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      5 months ago

      Right my phone is just a pocket computer, I only use it as an actual phone when I have no other choice.

    • southernbrewer@lemmy.world
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      5 months ago

      A friend has had a dumb phone for a few years but supplemented with an iPad for things like messaging apps, maps, banking, camera. He finds the iPad just inconvenient enough to avoid social media addiction and always-connected mentality while still convenient enough to deal with the problems you described