Gen Z increasingly adopts analog technology to escape digital addiction

A new study by market research firm YPulse indicates that Generation Z is increasingly turning toward analog technology to escape the addictive nature of digital apps and social media. The research, which polled 1,500 individuals aged 13 to 39, found that two-thirds of respondents are embracing vintage items such as film cameras, record players, and flip phones.

This trend, sometimes described as “anemoia”—a longing for a time one did not live through—is manifesting in lifestyle changes. Beyond hardware, young people are adopting tactile hobbies like crocheting and photography. Data shows a significant rise in interest for tools that limit digital distraction; for instance, flip phone sales among users aged 18 to 24 increased by 148% between 2021 and 2024, and downloads for devices designed to lock phones have seen substantial growth.