Smartphones have been around for over a decade now, and despite the almost unlimited possibilities that owning one can bring, many people have started to opt for the less ‘smart’ alternative…but why?
One of England's largest school academy trusts made headlines recently after announcing it would phase out access to smartphones at its schools, with a spokesperson for the trust saying that “teaching and learning, behaviour and children’s mental health are all impacted negatively by mobile phones".
So could the dumbphone be another option?
What is a dumbphone?
Dumbphones, also known as 'feature phones', are basic mobile phones that often lack many of the smart features that you may be familiar with, such as apps and cameras.
Feature phones have increased in popularity recently with the total global market projected to bring in £8.5 billion in revenue this year as people try to stay clear of the often-addictive aspects of modern-day phones and have a bit of a digital detox. Interestingly, challenges to stop using smartphones are popular on social media, with one recent trend encouraging people to avoid all technology during flights. One TikTok of someone using only a dumbphone for a month, has gained 4.5 million views.
What are people saying on socials?
Dumbphone users and social media don't necessarily go hand-in-hand, but the Reddit community r/dumbphones has over 75,000 members and the discussions range from recommendations for the latest feature phones to sharing stories of a smartphone-free life.
TikTok users have shared videos that have racked up millions of views, including showing how feature phones can help stop doom scrolling.
YouTubers have posted videos which now have millions of views, ranging from reviews of the best dumbphone in 2024 to vlogs about the life changing benefits of swapping to a feature phone.
What are the benefits of dumbphones?
- According to a study from King's College London, excessive use of a smartphone has links to feelings of anxiety and depression. But many feature phone users have reported an improvement in their wellbeing after ditching their smartphone for a feature phone.
- Having your smartphone to hand can be a bit of a distraction, especially when doing homework, but using a streamlined dumbphone without any apps can help to cut down on distractions.
- Dumbphones can have a much longer battery life than smart ones.
However, alongside the pros, there may be some cons…
- Many dumbphones don’t have a camera, so you might not be able to take photos.
- No access to video calls or multimedia messaging apps.
- Health apps, like blood sugar monitors for diabetes, might not be compatible with feature phones.
- Many people use digital payment apps on the their phones, which wouldn’t be accessible on dumbphones meaning reverting back to carrying cards or cash.
Will dumbphones be allowed in schools?
While there is lots of talk about schools banning smartphones, there has been no widespread discussion around the expulsion of their less-clever equivalent. The prestigious private boarding school, Eton, announced a ban of smartphones for all first year students from September 2024, and have instead provided students with a feature phone. There has been support to ban smartphones in schools in order to minimise disruption and improve behaviour in classrooms, but some parents believe that bans could be dangerous. Helena Dollimore, MP for Hastings and Rye, raised the issue in Parliament this week, saying parents supported limiting phone use at the school but were concerned about safety on their journeys to and from home.
However, academy trusts and schools will have varying guidance, so it's best to check with your own school about any rules regarding mobile phones.
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