OPINION | Flipping Back to Flip Phones

Photo Credit: Wako Megumi/Getty Images

The argument against smartphones and social media is as relevant as ever as we advance further into a digital age. With the release of films like “The Social Dilemma” and countless articles and testimonies discussing the consequences of social media, it is no wonder that a younger generation may feel ashamed and frustrated with the constant reprimanding of their internet usage. 

There exists this overarching controversy around the anti-phone stance. It is often misused by older generations to vilify the newer generations. The speed at which technology has evolved since Generation X or Boomers grew up has changed every aspect of daily life. This constant and rapid change in routine creates a divide between generations when it comes to newer technology and smartphone use; and it’s understandable, as the older generations are unfamiliar with how to navigate and address what seems like a young world.

We are reminded of this when we are sent a Facebook post our parents saw on how “likes” are ruining our lives, and it feels somewhat hypocritical. It is probably not the most effective tactic in deferring us from our phones.

We know the consequences. The negative effects of social media can be found and taught, ironically, with just one scroll. Simply search “social media bad,” and countless intellectuals will inform you that time spent on social media may lead to “cyberbullying, social anxiety, and depression,” according to Mayo Clinic. 

Every adult in our lives will take every possible opportunity to tell us to go outside and get off our phones. We understand the negative consequences, but, although we don’t like to admit it, we continue to come back every day. We allow ourselves to succumb to the depths of the blue light screen. 

There could be a simple solution — going back to flip phones. 

Flip phones, which became popular in the late 1990s, were arguably the best invention of the decade. Moving away from the landline, flip phones allowed one to easily communicate on the go without the unnecessary applications that a modern day user routinely deals with. 

I recently came across an advertisement for Tim Hortons’ infamous Roll Up To Win promotion, in which anyone who buys an item has the chance to win a jackpot prize of $10,000 or various other rewards. Tim Hortons has been running the promotion for over 35 years, traditionally calling it Roll Up The Rim. The concept was that the buyer would “roll up the rim” of a coffee cup to reveal a prize. Within the past few years, however, the company rebranded their campaign and now the buyer must download the Tims App to play. 

Every cafe, restaurant, and clothing store seems to have an app now, and frankly, they take up storage and have few discernible positive assets. 

For Roll Up To Win, a technical malfunction with the app falsely informed people that they had won a $55,000 boat. Chris Rivet, a Tim Horton’s app user from Edmonton, told CBC News, “I went from being a winner to a loser,” and the company sent out an email to contest participants apologizing for the error, but they could be facing lawsuits. This could have been easily avoided if a Tim Hortons enjoyer didn’t need an app to participate, and if the prize was hidden in the cup itself, like it used to be. 

This also presents an inaccessibility issue. Our predominantly digital and online society, although seemingly increasing outreach to communities across the world, ultimately creates a problem of exclusivity. In the digital age, it is almost impossible to go on without a smartphone. And a smartphone isn’t cheap — on average, at least a few hundred dollars for a decent model, without considering the need to always upgrade when the device ages every few years. Add in a monthly phone plan, and the cost to be reachable is not attainable for low-income individuals. 

For low-income families with dependent students, for people living in poverty and on the streets, and for seniors, having a smartphone is not as simple or as accessible as one might think. Flip phones are a tenth of the price and still allow the user to make calls and send texts, and using it is simple enough. A flip phone user is still easy to contact — paralleling the biggest advantage of owning a smartphone. 

The introduction of smartphones has allowed us to be effortlessly reachable, and we find ourselves completely dependent on them, even if we choose to deny it. Because we live in a smartphone-dependent world where everyone spends time online, it is not easy to realize that even a “low” screen time is unhealthy. In a study conducted by Mupalla et. al. in Cureus in 2023, published by the National Institute of Health, it is stated that “compared to children who view screens for less than one hour per day, those who engage in two or more hours per day, or three or more hours per day, are more likely to experience behavioral problems and poorer vocabulary acquisition.”

Though you might think you have a low screen time because “there’s people who are way worse” and “some people don’t even go outside,” consider reevaluating what you define as low. Time spent on social media, regardless of how long, has a negative effect on mental health. The constant input and overload of information may lead to a pressing fear of missing out — or “FOMO” — and a tendency to compare. You don’t need to know what that certain person you met at summer camp five years ago ate for breakfast. This consistent flow of information is more than the human brain can process. Or at least for me, it’s more than what my human brain can process. 

Switching to a flip phone completely eliminates screen time, leading to not only mental health benefits and increased focus, but also more time. Spending even just two hours per day online adds up. Two hours a day becomes 14 hours a week, 56 hours a month, and 672 hours a year — that’s equivalent to 28 days. Someone who switches from a smartphone to a flip phone could essentially have 28 extra days to get more sleep, get outside more, learn a new language, or do anything their heart desires. We all contemplate what we would do if we had more time, wishing, but knowing, that we would never find the time for what it is we actually want to do. 

I admit, I use Spotify and Google Maps routinely, and I’m guilty of indulging in UberEats more than the average person. I acknowledge that using a flip phone would not come without its obstacles. A smartphone comes with convenience — a wallet, calendar, music, movies, and a way to order food with a few clicks on a screen. Although a societal shift toward flip phones would certainly benefit our society, it is understandable that certain restrictions would prevent one from making the switch. If only one person makes this decision, instead of society as a collective, it may inconvenience them and overshadow the benefits. 

Deleting all applications off your phone is a viable alternative — remove what hinders you and keep what aids you. Take the step to make your life easier and take back your 28 days. Reclaim the empty hours lost to the screen, and pursue a life outside of your smartphone. Your time is valuable, so start treating it that way.