What is a dumbphone and how useful is it for detoxing from social media?

The alarm rings every morning. With eyes closed, and before even remembering our names, the first act of the day is to look for the smartphone to put an end to the noisy torments.

Then the day begins in the light of your screen. We need to catch up: how many things must have happened while we were sleeping? information sites, scroll; social networks, more scroll. Not even awake, we check our emails, in case there is news at work, and also WhatsApp, to see if anyone has told you anything.

On the way to work, at work, in a meeting, during lunch, at the cafe, after eating, in your free time, while you are in the toilet, talking to someone next to you, before to go to bed, after saying good night, even if you give in to insomnia: there will always be space to check your cell phone. After all, it seems that everything that happens today is mediated by a screen.

Hyperconnectivity is a kind of modern-day miracle, making it possible to show in real time what is happening anywhere in the world, wherever you are. The advantages are numerous, but there are also disadvantages, such as those that various studies have identified on the mental health of the population: higher rates of anxiety, stress and digital dependence, along with other addictions, are some of the associated problems. with the status “online”. 24/7.

“Indeed, devices such as smart phoneswhich have many functions, often offer large quantities of information that we cannot process or even filter completely,” explains Joan Black, clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst in training at the Institute ICHPA . “This sensation generates hypervigilance, a need to respond to such a quantity of stimuli, and it is impossible.”

In the United States and some European countries, the consequences of hyperconnectivity provoke certain reactions among individuals. One of them is the “digital detox”.

This is a measure that aims to abstain for a time from using electronic devices, such as smartphones, in order to detoxify from the stimuli generated by screens and reconnect with presence.

A recent study by the international consulting firm Search for counterpoint argues that basic mobile phones – those without an Internet connection that dominated the market at the turn of the millennium – known today as dumb phones or dumbphoneshave resurfaced on the American market.

This is due to the trend among Gen Z and millennials for digital detox, thereby reducing mental health issues caused by smartphone and social media addiction. In fact, by 2023, 2.8 million such devices were expected to be sold in the United States.

The resurgence of old cell phones comes as no surprise to technology experts. “Opt for a dumb phone It symbolizes a return to the essential and the simple. People overwhelmed by incessant notifications find in these devices a way to limit this avalanche of data and reconnect to the present moment,” explains Claudio Escobar, MBE and academic at the Faculty of Economics and Commerce of the Alberto Hurtado University .

Nicolás Silva, technology director of Asimov Consultores, agrees with Escobar and argues that the passage of “clever” At “dumb phone» is a “movement towards technological simplicity”, which “reflects a search for well-being and balance in an increasingly connected world”. This regression, he says, “allows people to disconnect from digital overload and lead calmer, more focused lives, limiting their use to basic communication functions.”

But whatever the benefits of this measure, the risks can also be high, especially as “the world” has adapted to hyperconnectivity. “A dumb phone This could significantly limit access to tools and platforms essential to today’s daily activities, which could be counterproductive for those who rely on them for their daily lives,” warns Silva.

In this context, the return to the old mobile phone without touch screen is considered a radical measure. Especially since there are options to configure smartphones (iOS and Android) to resemble a basic mobile phone, thereby limiting notifications and access to disruptive apps. “This can be more beneficial than opting for a device with limited functionality,” says Silva.

According to experts, this is one of the main advantages of dumbphones. “They are designed to perform basic functions, such as making calls and sending text messages, which significantly reduces the distractions and complexities associated with smartphone apps,” explains Nicolás Silva.

Added to this are more intuitive interfaces, simplified menus and physical buttons, features which, according to Claudio Escobar, make dumbphones a tool that is “useful, accessible and particularly attractive for people who do not need the advanced functions of smartphones”, such as groups of elderly people.

At this point, old cell phones are clearly superior to smartphones. “Lack of demanding applications and high-resolution screens, these devices can operate for days or even weeks on a single charge, unlike the need to recharge smartphones daily,” explains Claudio Escobar.

“This feature makes them particularly useful in situations where access to charging is limited or for people who prioritize reliability and autonomy over constant connectivity,” adds Silva.

The battery life of the dumb phone It is not only superior in terms of frequency of charging required, but also in terms of useful life.

In 2021, Nokia celebrated the 20th anniversary of its most popular model, the 6310 – which was all the rage at the turn of the century – with the launch of an updated version. It quickly became a meme for its incredible impact resistance, leading to it being compared to a brick.

This is a common feature in dumbphones, especially compared to smartphones. “They are less prone to damage from drops or bumps, making them ideal for demanding work environments or for users who prefer a more robust device,” says Escobar.

This is a point that sparks some debate. On the one hand, Escobar claims that by not storing large volumes of data or having applications that collect information, dumbphones “reduce the risks of unauthorized access to personal data. »

However, Silva believes that these pose a greater security risk because they lack advanced measures such as encryption, biometric authentication and the ability to track and lock the device remotely, “which could endanger personal safety. information and security of the user in the event of loss or theft of the device.

In terms of costs, “both the initial investment and the maintenance and repair expenses are considerably lower than those of smartphones,” emphasizes Escobar. While the iPhone 15 exceeds a million pesos, the Nokia 6310 (2021 version) is around 60 thousand, and the Alcatel One Touch does not even reach 15 thousand.

“This not only makes them more accessible to a wider audience, but also provides a cost-effective option for those looking for a second phone,” adds the academic. Although finding these new devices, without defects or excessive use, may not be such a simple task in the local market.

It’s clear: if the objective is to get out of hyperconnectivity, the dumb phone It fills him up quite a bit. So much so that the level of disconnection can end up being a problem.

Although many current models from the aforementioned brands have 3G and 4G technology, older used models, which are easier to obtain than modern models, may not work on these networks. “This can significantly limit its functionality in areas where older networks, such as 2G or 3G, are disabled or have limited coverage,” warns Claudio Escobar.

For this reason, adds the academic, “it is important to weigh the benefits against possible limitations that could affect professional or social performance, especially in environments where connectivity and immediate access to information are essential “.

Nicolás Silva says that limited or no internet connectivity is a big disadvantage of dumbphones. “This not only affects the ability to browse or use online applications, but can also pose a significant barrier in business environments where quick access to email, cloud documents and collaborative work tools is essential.

Access to tools to manage online procedures is also limited, which has become the norm for banks, businesses, public services and other institutions. “This could lead to a greater investment of time and effort in tasks which, with a smartphonethey could be done quickly and securely from anywhere,” Silva emphasizes.

This level of disconnection can also lead to isolation. “Even if I want to, I won’t be able to connect to WhatsApp or social media. The telephone then becomes a means almost exclusively of oral communication and for specific moments. This could disconnect me from those who only use digital media to communicate,” says Iván Llanos, academic at the School of Cybersecurity Engineering at the University of the Americas (UDLA).

On the other hand, given the lack of replacement parts for many models that have been discontinued, having technical service can also become a challenge, both for the watch and for your pocket.

Given the context, the decision to return to a dumb phone Getting out of hyperconnectivity can be a good or bad idea depending on everyone. As Joan Black says, taking this step “could relieve hyperconnectivity, hyperstimuli and hyperinformation.” But at some point, we will have to ask ourselves the question: why did we get to this point?