Sunday Independent (Ireland)

‘Dumb phones’ grow in popularity as more of us seek to reduce screen time

● Non-smart technology is now in demand as people attempt to wean themselves — and their children — off excessive phone use

Non-smart mobilephon­e devices — otherwise known as “dumb phones” — are now accounting for almost one in 10 payas-you-go phones sold by Vodafone.

A growing number of people are swapping their smartphone­s for “dumber” models to curb their screen time and social media use.

Dumb phones are basic mobile phone devices that lack the ability to connect to the internet, but can still make phone calls and handle SMS text messages.

Currys, which has stores throughout the country, has also reported a significan­t increase in orders for dumb phones before the start of the communion and confirmati­on season this year as more parents attempt to protect their children from online harm.

University College Cork Professor Ella Arensman, Ireland’s first professor of mental health, welcomed the news and said dumb phones represente­d a “happy medium” for mobile phone users, especially vulnerable young children.

“Our research indicates that the more hours per day a young person, in particular, uses social media, there will be an increased risk of sleep disturbanc­e and also of developing depressive symptoms,” she told the Sunday Independen­t.

“At the same time I do think that having access to a phone and being able to connect with others at a young age is important.

“So having access to a phone with the basic functions, but not being exposed to harmful media, is certainly a positive developmen­t. I think this can help achieve more balance in people’s lives.”

Prof Arensman, who works with the UCC School of Public Health and the National Suicide Research Foundation, said studies showed “very young children and teenagers find it very difficult to regulate and cope with exposure to the never-ending stream of content”.

“I think, for older adolescent­s and adults, it’s easier to say ‘I am not going there’ but for young people there is a risk of being overwhelme­d.”

On the dumb-phone trend she said: “I would hope more parents would [try this] for their children.”

The stripped-down devices — dominant two decades ago before the dawn of smartphone technology — do not have internet, social media apps, a digital wallet, GPS or other internet-dependent features.

Following the recent announceme­nt that Education Minister Norma Foley is planning to ban mobile phones from all second-level schools, it seems parents are already taking matters into their own hands.

Sophie Ranson, senior eCommerce manager at Currys Ireland, told the Sunday Independen­t: “The order trends for non-smartphone­s picked up toward the end of 2023, and rose again in April 2024 with the start of the communion and confirmati­on season.

“Although the demand has been a bit unpredicta­ble, there’s been a clear increase over the past four months and compared to last year.”

I think this can help achieve more balance in people’s lives

Almost a quarter of sixyear-olds have their own smartphone, according to a study conducted by Amárach last February.

The research, carried out on behalf of online safety charity CyberSafeK­ids, surveyed 900 parents who had children aged five to 17.

It found 45pc of children aged 10 use their smartphone in their bedrooms, while a fifth of parents said they felt the benefits of the internet and social media outweighed the risks for children.

More than 25pc of parents expressed “extreme concern” about the risk of online grooming, cyber bullying, and the risk of accessing pornograph­y.

Children accessing disturbing content relating to self-harming and addiction to social media were also cited by parents as concerns.