August Lamm advocates for smartphone downgrading

Visual artist and activist August Lamm is promoting a lifestyle shift away from smartphone dependency. In her new book, “You Don’t Need a Smartphone: A Practical Guide to Downgrading Your Phone and Upgrading Your Life,” Lamm details her decision to switch to a basic flip phone in 2022 to combat digital addiction and reclaim time for her art.

Lamm argues that reducing screen time fosters deeper social connections and increased presence in daily life. She notes that while she initially feared losing touch with her social circle, the transition actually strengthened existing friendships and allowed her to form new ones through more open social engagement.

Her approach is supported by data from the US Surgeon General, which indicates that adolescents spend an average of over eight hours per day on screens, a habit linked to lower physical and mental well-being.