In this day and age, we have grown addicted to smartphones, and with good reason. Why do multiple devices when you can do everything you need or want the second you want it? Recently, our devices have started becoming slimmer, simpler, and even more plain. This is why more people have decided to reach into their childhood devices and styles.
Lately, all over social media platforms there has been a trend of “no phone summer” along with some older devices such as the Nintendo DS, CD players, digital cameras, and notebooks. This trend is believed to have been started by teens and adolescents who are tired of the overwhelming nature of instant information at their disposal and need to find a moment to relax and disconnect while still being able to be entertained and enjoy their once loved devices.
The next question could be, “well, there are newer and probably better functioning things, so why are we rolling back the tape?” With the help from TheConversation.com, they explain that people are more interested in relieving feelings of nostalgia. while also helping them disconnect and doing “digital detoxes”. One major reason people are ditching their cellphones is due to the over-stimulation of constant negativity or seeing too many things at once. (Brown University health blog, 2023) There are many benefits to digital detoxes such as improved sleep, increased focus, and productivity.
Another reason people are more interested in analog tech is because they look more riveting and fit into more fashion aesthetics, too. People are starting to become more interested in Y2K fashion and rolling out the trends. These styles consist of low-rise jeans, thin eyebrows, and more colors and creativity. Not only clothes, but everyday things like paper magazines making a comeback, make-up styles, CD stands, funky carpets, and novelty lighting in certain homes.
Realistically, I think that taking a digital detox is healthy – especially in a time where you are constantly being bombarded with a new breaking news story, drama and negativity as a whole. When you have easy access to technology at a young age, it’s hard to realize when it’s time to put the phone down and focus into something else. Having switched to a flip phone at some point myself helped me realize that there’s more to a life than a “he said, she said” situation. More people should definitely give it a try.
