The Rise of the Dumbphone - 25th April 2022

How many social media apps do you have? Almost everybody wants a smartphone these days, but some people don't like spending all their free time on apps, mobile games and social media. They're choosing 'dumbphones'.

Dumbphones are simple - they can make calls, send texts and take photos. They're like phones from the 1990s. 17 year old Robin West's had a dumbphone for two years. She didn't want a smartphone anymore. She'd planned to buy an old phone. But then she found a basic 'brick phone' for just £8.

Robin loves her dumbphone because it costs her less. She doesn't have to pay for expensive data, like with a smartphone. Her smartphone used to control her life because she was always on social media. Without it, she has more time to work and study.

Google searches for dumbphones have almost doubled because more people are looking for less stressful lives. A New York company, Light Phone, has created 'feature phones', which can also play music. But they'll never have social media.

Light Phone designed the feature phone so people could take a break from their smartphone. But for half its customers, it's their main phone. They're going back in time to get more out of life!