Digital fatigue drives rise in tech-nostalgia and dumbphone use

A growing trend of ‘tech-nostalgia’ is seeing younger generations move away from advanced smartphones in favor of simpler devices, such as flip phones or ‘dumbphones.’ This shift is described as a rebellion against digital fatigue and the constant overstimulation caused by being perpetually online and managing continuous notifications.

Experts note that while digital technology is a natural part of modern reality, the impact on mental health depends on whether individuals manage the technology or allow it to manage them. Signs of losing control over digital habits include automatic checking of notifications, interrupting work or social interactions to scroll through content, and starting or ending the day with a smartphone. Such habits can disrupt circadian rhythms due to blue light exposure and subject users to excessive stimuli before they have even processed their own emotions.