I Tried To Kill My Smartphone Addiction With A Dumb Phone. Here's How It Went. | Business Insider

[@patrickmeehan6856]

You tried it for, what, five hours? No way you can draw any conclusions. Do it for a week and don't have your smartphone available as a backup. Mail it to an out of town friend. Alcoholics can drink ginger ale for an afternoon too. That doesn't mean they've kicked their addiction, nor would they think abstaining for a few hours would do anything at all to "kill" their addiction. Kudos to you for using yourself as a social experiment, though.

[@astroboirap]

same as her trying to stick to a diet

[@IIWAFFLEII]

@@astroboirap bruh

[@yay842]

​@astroboirap LMAOOOOO you're right though

[@ilkerYT]

bro camed and destroyed and left :D

[@reiniergarcia]

Oh Lady. You got a flip phone and then you went straight to try to install as many apps as possible. That defeats the whole purpose of a dumb phone. That's not even trying.

[@JRBowling1997]

So true. Why would she think that popular apps were on a old Flip Phone?😂😂😂😂😂

[@dcw.photos]

Oh no, dumbphone doesnt have smartphone features 🤯

[@Stuck313]

3 hours in and she just gave up 😂 the addiction is too strong

[@Blackfire-Five]

If it bothers you that much......delete the app!

[@MissBabalu102]

Best to rarely use ANY APPS.

[@siiiriously3226]

you don't seem to understand the concept of an addiction.

[@mars-k1u]

Deleting the app won't help, you'll just redownload it. Switching to a traditional phone works because it is supposedly impossible for you to download these apps. Of course, that doesn't work as well with modern dumbphones which are actually smart.

[@MissBabalu102]

@@mars-k1u I have very few APPS, and I have several phones. I know APPS aren't private. Get a de-googled phone, a kosher phone, and a separate smart phone with a cheap plan and use it only when necessary, like UBER, than turn it off and put it in a privacy bag. Device isolation. and browser isolation on the laptop.

[@2new4me]

Yes, moving your personal dependencies from one device to another is not smart.

[@NilDesperandumVeritasOditMoras]

Here’s a wild idea: read a book on the train. It’s this technology from 1500s. Retro chic!

[@katwhy]

....you tried for 3 hours 🤷

[@rodanvsandrew]

lol what a waste of time this is.

[@lynxia1464]

Best the DEI hire could do 😆

[@astroboirap]

same as her trying to stick to a diet

[@juliajs1752]

Right? She might as well have spent that much time at the movies and turned off her phone for the film, and it would have had the same results. But I guess she already went into the experiment saying "this will be hard, this will be difficult, this will be horrible" and didn't properly think about what she would have to organise without a smartphone.

[@psp785]

😂. Lmaooooo ​@@astroboirap

[@mizzmatrix]

The phone is only as smart as its user. If you use the phone 8+ hours a day, you have a problem.

[@Thisismetman]

I have a problem.

[@siiiriously3226]

that is what "an addiction" means. and it doesn't have anything to do with intelligence.

[@mars-k1u]

You may have an addiction, but what can you do? You can't just tell someone to stop. The only way is to physically prevent them from using it, which is why using a traditional cell phone is supposed to work.

[@SamuelTHollands]

incredibly low quality video for 9M subs

[@9l0t]

The video is good and fun.. idk why so much negative comments are here.. even if we're confused about her in rush experience.. we should respect the woman and the camera man and other people who worked on the video

[@joelcoll4034]

@@9l0t Yeah it' good daily vlog from this woman but thats not what this video was supposed to be...

[@irrelevant2235]

@@9l0t The negative comments are not just here but in most comments on other KZbin videos. Unfortunately, negativity is a part of human nature.

[@k1vela]

She did not even try

[@gjskxnj]

She didnt, just like how she didnt try to lose weight instead of using her phone.

[@etnevel.naitzsirk]

She didn't even try to take this challenge seriously or do proper investigation about the effects of reduced screen time. 🤦‍♂

[@tanichiro]

i bought a new Nokia 215 2024 months ago as a weekend/day off phone.. honestly it makes a huge difference when i can physically avoid calls and notifications.. this video was just a crap take on the dumbphone usage trend, not enough time taken to actually "use" it as a daily driver or downtime phone.. switching to one requires more than just a few hours

[@tayeemhasan6410]

Due to my work, I have had to interact with top-level executives from various companies, including Chairmen, CEOs, and Managing Directors. One thing I’ve noticed is that none of them use their phones like we do. They barely engage with social media, let alone spend hours on it. When I asked them why, they said that social media distracts them from achieving their goals.

[@hugh_know_who1926]

Enter Elon Musk

[@Sage-Em]

Using the credit card is old fashioned?

[@arsenal0095]

Yep, now it's contactless by phone such as Google Wallet. I rarely use my wallet anymore...

[@Sage-Em]

@@arsenal0095 🤕

[@Sage-Em]

@@arsenal0095 I use my contactless card because I wasn't comfortable setting up my Google wallet yet

[@MissBabalu102]

@@arsenal0095 Just like in Communist dictatorship China. Be careful what you wish for.

[@Jsarmy87124]

​@@arsenal0095 and you lose the phone your life is over 👀

[@MrGelowe]

Here is a crazy idea, rather than getting dumb phone, uninstall waster apps. You will not be scrolled through TikTok if you don't have the app. Same with social media and games. You know, treat a smart phone just a productivity/communication device, not a play thing. Also, $90 is kind of nuts and with $55 plan. You can buy a burner for way cheaper. Frankly, I am on pixel 6a that is right on swappa for $118. And there are way cheaper prepaid plans with super low data. Going dumb phone is like rather than learning self-control that will be useful your whole life, you are taking the dumb route, and making your day to day life harder. Like, to control TikTok use, I'll force myself to give up ride sharing apps. Why?

[@rickrobinson8417]

Exactly

[@Diakai8]

I agree. I'm a huge social media user and wasted my time. However it's an opportunity to force yourself to be aware and learn self control. How hard is that? Lol. This woman should read atomic habit.

[@bmichellew2010]

I pay around 55 for my unlimited data,text and talk for a full service smartphone. That is steep for a bare bones phone

[@Diakai8]

Yeah not disregarding those who wants to buy these types of phone, as it can benefit anything with simply communication, simple entertainment and to save your wallet with a small affordable fee for the phone. It's up to the person on how it can benefit them, whether they can afford it or not.

[@siiiriously3226]

you don't get what an addiction is.

[@AlfredoShrimp-e4h]

If I walked into a restaurant and they only had a QR code menu, im walking right back out.

[@LauraLea1978]

Yup.

[@rsaunders57]

Dumb phones are bad at being smartphones, duh. The idea is to become a dumb-phone user. Carry a paper map, ask the restaurant for a paper menu, text "just the facts ma'am". Entertain your self with our deluxe reality.

[@Jsarmy87124]

Or a book music??

[@ekkolima]

This "cut down" was going from Soda to DIET Soda. 🤣

[@ianthehunter3532]

Damn four hours?

[@momorudi]

There's no dumb/smartphone. It's a matter of the ones who use it.

[@siiiriously3226]

that is a very dumb comment. also factually untrue.

[@Stephan__o.x]

Jheez…it might not be on a dumb phone but audiobooks on the train should cut some screen time

[@YaretziaGarcia]

That’s what I do. Much more relaxing than endless scrolling on instagram all day.

[@MissBabalu102]

I haven't done audiobooks, but what device do you suggest, if I try to not to do android google, or Apple? Any old-schooool devices? (I don't know why I left my o's)

[@Stephan__o.x]

@@MissBabalu102 amazon kindle (if that is still a thing)

[@YaretziaGarcia]

@@MissBabalu102 doesn’t matter what you use, I have an iPhone 14 Pro Max and I use Audible. It’s a fantastic audiobook app but it requires a subscription if you want to listen to a lot of books.

[@MattieTobi]

I'm 17 and im all for this. Much respect

[@programmer437]

>appifies their dumb phone This is not how you do it.

[@mars-k1u]

These smart flip phones are problematic.

[@criz5991]

Technology is only as smart as its user. sorry much love

[@majorburke9735]

$20 breakfast? You could pay with cash. One restaurant I went to didn’t accept cash. I didn’t go back.

[@LauraLea1978]

She wasn't ready to go without, that was all that was abundantly clear.

[@jerrymoney1479]

Why bother using a dumb phone when you are still trying to get the dumb phone to be smarter 😂

[@YaretziaGarcia]

You could’ve done different things to help you keep up with the challenge. I’ve done this same thing a while ago I had my iPod Classic loaded up with all of my songs and a book to read while I relax during my commute 😆

[@askvitaliy]

Basically, for people that have no self-control, delete the apps that you think of destructing and just have the necessary apps, I mean we’re all adults. I need to get a flip phone to make a life complicated just deleted distracting apps.

[@mars-k1u]

For people who have no self-control, what's stopping them from just redownloading the apps? You can't blame people for not having self control, because apps are designed to be addictive.

[@rusliirawanri]

It's not about the kind of phones you're using. It's all about the apps on your phone. Deleting all social media apps and your smartphone becomes a dumb phone.

[@mars-k1u]

It's not that easy. You can reinstall them

[@BeetleOtaku]

Love all the comments from people who have legit tried using dumb phones. I've been using the LightPhoneII for a year or so, lock the smart phone in a k-safe when I'm jonesing. The phone she got has a lot more features than the LightPhoneII, you learn to stop pulling the phone out cuz there's no reason anymore. Food tastes better, conversation is better, the ambiance is better with a commitment to dumb phones.

[@1989Nihil]

If it's all the social media apps that makes you stay on your phone for that unhealthy amount of time, then there's a simple solution for that: de-install those apps from your phone, and use facebook/instagram/whatever on your computer instead. You carry your phone around basically where ever you go, can't do that just as easily with even a laptop.

[@irrelevant2235]

*wherever

[@c.l.9344]

The world was better prior to smart phones.

[@ecogreen123]

i mean, hitler was before smart phones

[@Zaclol0223]

*only for white male*

[@mars-k1u]

I agree. Now i don't even have a choice to use a phone that can only call, no one makes them anymore. 3G is gone, can't even use old phones. And society is so locked onto these being a part of our lives that we can't live without like QR codes in restaurants.

[@Space2080]

I really like your attitude of recognizing your own problems and trying to change them. I will try this method when I want to physically distance myself from my smartphone.

[@Spllyn]

They really phoned this one in eh?

[@invisi6l339]

i like how straightforward and non BStery the comment section is, unlike those on a lot of channels that are full of overly polite and positive comments

[@vincewhite5087]

In digital minimalism Newport’s group came up with different ways to cut down social media. One of the best way to avoid the rabbit holes was by a lady that said to buy & use a simple watch. Stop using excuse to check the time to scratch the media itch.

[@BeetleOtaku]

The dumb phone is a tool, and if you don't use the tool as intended, or grab a different tool by choice, then you don't get the benefit of the tool.

[@joelcoll4034]

this is like buying a nicotine patch but keeping the cigarettes in your pocket ... you wasted $90

[@keurikeuri7851]

I knew someone who said he is now controlling his smart phone addiction and he also started using a dumb phone. But I also just learned his tablet usage had increased dramatically.

[@TheGreyLineMatters]

I don't get how people can stand staring at those tiny screens anyway. I use my computer as a phone, I don't need to talk to anyone bad enough to pay an extra 60-100$ a month for a mini computer I carry in my pocket.

[@Xenovicious]

I would try for a week+ to actually see better results or just delete / lock out all social media apps so using Google Maps & scanning QR codes would still work without wasting time clicking the down button / typing / looking for apps. Tho i used to type super fast on the 9 keypad on my Moto SLVR back in the day 😂 And I also used to carry a MP3 player or Gameboy with my Nokia brick phone back in 2008 when I rode the bus. Could totally try that. Kinda miss standalone MP3 players

[@vito_keys]

Of all kinds of occupations, musicians are the easiest people to do a digital detox and probably easy to adapt to dumbphones

[@iberaku]

Discipline is vital to mental health

[@CorneliusCharles]

My smartphone stopped working exactly one week ago and I have not bought a replacement as I'm broke af right now but I find myself relying on my computer to stay updated on social media and communication like Whatsapp. I can get through the work day without a phone however on my downtime it is difficult to stay away from social apps totally. I find myself feeling lost and alone tbh. I don't know what to do besides chores around the house and I am just too tired to do things all the time. It's hard. So I think having a smartphone is a good thing but you must find a balance with actual activities in real life.

[@Papierzeit]

Wait a minute, that was a joke, wasn't it? If someone can't even stand it for a few hours, that person is addicted. And then she says it's not a big problem... I don't think this person realizes what that means in the long run. Something like that makes me sad, super sad. :(

[@derekcash3608]

This really isnt that big of a deal. Does it really make you supersad?

[@Stuck313]

She completely missed the plot. It isn't about getting more, it's about reminding your brain to be OK and comfortable with less. It's not about whether people see it as a novelty and want to strike up conversation with you, wtf..

[@disky01]

Whoa, that phone was $90? The smartphone I'm watching this video on was $35 (refurbished). That's wild. I get it, it does look cute and if you're looking for a way to wean off of smartphone addiction, it might work, but the experience seems so much worse. It would probably take some serious effort and more time to change your behavior, all while smartphones are so ubiquitous.

[@zoboomaku]

So much easier to dumb down a smartphone than to try and get by with a flip phone in modern life anyway. Although I understand for some that's the point. Also, to me $90 seems a reasonable price for a new flip phone. There's certainly some niche demand for them. Any smartphone for $35 is not going to be a great experience either.

[@disky01]

@@zoboomaku The problem with dumbing down a smartphone is that its a matter of will to keep it that way and a lot of people don't have that discipline. I certainly don't. My phone is a Samsung A02s, it's a lower-end Samsung but it's a great phone for the price.

[@zoboomaku]

@@disky01 You're right, and I've been there. But that power of will is something you can build and have eventually become sustainable through trial and failure. I equate it to quitting cigarettes. You have the choice to buy a pack every time you're at the store, or to bum one off friends and coworkers when offered. And saying no every single time requires immense discipline, and failure in early attempts is extremely common. But what's important is you try again, and become a little better at resisting that temptation the next time. Until one day it's easy to say no. Some are able to be successful right off the bat, but they're few and far between, and I think it's much more productive to temper expectations, expect setbacks, and look at long-term progress. For me, it's been similar with the smartphone. I uninstalled unproductive apps, streamlined the launcher, made it less appealing to use. And locked time-wasting websites and the app store behind a key I've stored in a web vault. I've regressed before, and ended up re-downloading KZbin or Reddit or whatever and wasting time on my phone in bed again. It's an addiction same as any other after all, it's bound to happen. But I've always ended up repeating the process again, and this time around I'm feeling pretty confident in my ability to resist. Where previously I'd be willing to jump through many hoops in order to satisfy my addiction, now just needing a single extra step to do so gives me that extra time when I have urges to make a choice, and say no. With practice, it's become much easier to do. And to boot, I can allow myself a modern and capable smartphone without worry. Not saying there's any one right way to do things or that any other way is wrong, just felt like sharing my experience. We're all in a similar boat.

[@mars-k1u]

@@disky01 This is exactly why using a traditional cell phone is supposed to work. only it doesn't because these new feature phones are actually smart, just without touchscreen.

[@Aaaa-y4b4o]

It is a great pity that people are forced to use a smartphone to be able to eat in a restaurant :( But your experiment is a great idea :) I admire your try with flip phone

[@Yuichurros]

This is a cool video idea! I’d be curious to see others attempt it but for a week. Heck, maybe I’ll give it a try 😊

[@Namslifeeee5752]

But for Uber I think you can call them to get a ride but for other necessities like translate you it's limited before the apps to use every day you may be also to use the web version of it

[@kailapowell5500]

Mine is 12 hours . I spend at least half the day on my phone.

[@gdcp0824]

Self-discipline is more of a luxury now than ever before. Stay aware

[@robertb8629]

What model flip was it? I had a similar Nokia flip in 2011 and it was the best phone i ever had. Wish i still had it

[@nataliep6385]

I still have a original UNPACKED nokia 3310. I wonder what I can get for that :P

[@zoboomaku]

Might be talking out my butt, but I remember reading that old flip phones don't play well with modern networks, and if you want to go the dumb phone route you're better off buying a newer one. So your market is still limited to collectors.

[@Saavik256]

@@zoboomaku 3310 is not a flip phone.

[@wolfsmaul-ger8318]

@@zoboomaku well duh, of course the market for that is collectors

[@elizabethrufener7280]

The best old cell phones had a slide out full keyboard! Bring those back and I’ll go back! Or remove all your games, social media, and other time suck apps from your phone.

[@MrHienNguye]

I believe it is not about the smart phone, but it is about smart mindset

[@loomonda18]

I understand the concept, but it just seems like more work trying to still use the same features (ex. Google maps, texting ,etc.) on a device that doesn't adapt well with our modern world (ex. Trying to navigate GPS, etc.) - So instead, I would probably just put the social media apps in a locked folder or just delete them if they are that addicting

[@caojidan8913]

FYI, you cannot cure addiction, you can only change from bad addiction into good addiction (aka passion).

[@kaseyk98]

As someone who grew up with flip phones and them slide keyboards, she was exaggerating how tough they are to use. Of course it's very different from a modern smartphone though. I can't imagine how she spends 8 hours on her phone a day, unless she was using it to read a novel maybe and even then who has 8 hours of time every day for just sitting around on their phone? At the restaurant she should've just asked for a physical menu. As far as her addiction to tiktok she should just delete the app. I don't even have it downloaded. I do use Instagram but I get bored by it easily. Idk I get that there is a legit addiction to smartphones but it's like people don't realize they could just put their phone down when they aren't answering texts or calls.

[@Hice_T]

I'm the only adult I know that doesn't use a smartphone. I'm still using a land line.

[@davidjscox1]

Just delete your social media apps. It’s not difficult!!

[@wickedtowise]

it’s still a smartphone lol

[@iampdv]

I really miss physical keyboards. I think I would be texting much more if I has one. Sometimes typing on the screen frustrates me souch that I just don't fi

[@katrinnelibre9867]

I didn’t have a phone for two weeks till I got paid and it was like HELL! I had to use my laptop to plan out my transit trips for weeks, was not safe at all because I couldn’t catch an Uber

[@EmpreendexOficial]

Brutal experiment.

[@bmichellew2010]

If the dumb phone had an actual keyboard maybe like an old school blackberry, it would be easier to use and cut down on time,since that is one of the main reasons to use a dumb phone. But they would make great props for a movie with a late 90s early 200s vibe 😅

[@noahdavis6534]

My goal isn’t to kill phone addiction. I only want to manage it. I would use dumb phone during the work day for important communications, but would still use my smart phone for relaxation and communication with friends/family

[@senshai1267]

If the person using the phone is dumb , then there is no point .

[@thunderdemonlover]

I really love it ❤❤❤

[@StevanMilesevic]

Holy shit, this was pathetic. In this case I don't think the device is the actual problem. How the *bleep* does anyone manage to rack up 8+ hours of screen-time everyday?!? You don't need a different phone, you need therapy.

[@9l0t]

I mean if that's the case then about 80% of the world needs therapy

[@siiiriously3226]

you don't seem to understand what an addiction is? also you lack empathy and are rude.

[@davidzapen8974]

The old social communities have largely vanished. Smartphones can help.

[@lynxia1464]

This exactly! It's her fault that she spends her time using the world's most powerful invention to play snake, reading/writing listicles, and engaging in vapid conversations. No phone company is demanding you waste hours on these things as opposed to trying to find meaningful connections. Many things should be addressed by society, but this ain't one of them 😂

[@Constantine-p7i]

This generation is pathetic

[@johnnywadd7960]

13 percent again 😂

[@eb7713]

A good book is an awesome way to get off your phone. I keep both a real one and load up a few audio books free from the library for commuting, gardening, housework, etc. It can be a relaxing time and is often a conversation starter. I find it very sad how nowadays that everywhere you look, everybody is looking down at a phone and not paying attention to potential friends, mates, artwork, nature, and life in general. It passes by so quickly with missed opportunities and chance meetings. -- And please don't get me started on little kids and babies being ignored by their parents at restaurants, etc. The poor kids often have their own pads shoved in their faces. They don't have much of a chance to build community and healthy relationships these days. Sheesh! 😢

[@visheshsonkar5786]

Well In India we get better support with online payments with 5G and YT music in Features / flip phones. Yes it's possible to go without Smartphones for a long time.

[@MissBabalu102]

I like your blue phone, but that's expensive for a plan. The point is to just use it for TALKING, very light texting, and I do think they make texting deliberately hard. My carrier has very flexible plans, I could do only $5.00 and change it monthly. So, I have several phones, a flip phone for when I'm just at the store, a de-googled phone by my bed with NO KZbin, and my occasional android for Uber and necessary features, and I got a nice privacy SLNTbag for it. But now my microsoft laptop is manipulating me like crazy. What to do next?

[@ricardom5150]

Did you even understand your own experiment?

[@HashmetAltaic]

Good idea ! We all should take a "fasting period" by avoid use the smartphone !

[@stevenporter863]

I couldn't if I wanted. Need it for work. It is mandated everyone have one.

[@HashmetAltaic-cz1yj]

@@stevenporter863 then try to use less for private usage 👍😢

[@kalinnaslay]

I wound never give up my smartphone for a flip phone. I control my surroundings and my life, not the other way around. I make my payments, speak with my doctor thru mychart, control temp and lighting in my home, pay bills. I may sound even a lil old fashioned at times, but I tend to put my phone away at a restaurant, when riding a train or bus, so I can be aware of my surroundings. Also, when another speaks to you, that way they have your undivided attention.

[@neocenobyte]

GenX remembers the inconvenience of alpha-numeric pager texting and dumb phones, and that’s why we choose iphones 😄

[@Blessedandforever]

i have no social media its best life

[@ImListeningToReason]

This is fun! Lets see.

[@johnjames218]

I have a dumb phone, it's red in its box somewhere in my house never been used.

[@auro1986]

switiching back to dumb phones from smartphones and telling people it's merita and demerits is dumb

[@joshuagoldshteyn8651]

Try it for 48-72 hours straight. Not like 3-5

[@losturkos1145]

New Day New Psyops Edit: Try this same Video idea with someone who is not as addicted as she is or with someone who already uses a dumbphone to show another way of living

[@rickrobinson8417]

Smart phones have too many useful features to switch to a flip phone imo. Simply not having the apps that waste your time/attention would be the ideal solution.

[@lasvegasbeet]

omg, I been wanting to do this

[@Eminetics]

This has been disproven to be effective, in theory it’s a cool concept but in reality it simply does not work.

[@scarabek]

Woow, you`re funny. I switched to real dumb phone like 15 months ago, I don`t cheat with any smartphone, I do not use internet on it, just PHONE + SMS + ALARM. If I had to go to this restaurant, i would just ASK for menu, or it can be printed somewhere in restaurant. I made my life soooo easier, you just needed to do some stuff on internet and didn`t even try, this video is joke ... :/

[@biscuitrolls4283]

I love my Fast food deals on smartphone.

[@dittocto]

Would like to get Dumb Phone with Wikipedia.

[@psp785]

This is so dumb

[@cliffp73]

My daily average 13 to 14 hours!!! Help….

[@valakxar]

And i thought an hour and a half was too much

[@SurpriseFox]

You can delete apps from your smartphone.

[@CatholicWifenMom]

Just delete all of the non productive apps

[@Channel-yw5gm]

You definitely over paid

[@9l0t]

6:00 yeah i expected that because you said you're not proud of your addiction and that is and experiment