Switched to a dumb phone for my teenager - results inside
OK so this sounds extreme but hear me out. My 15yo was basically a zombie attached to his iPhone. Grades were tanking, he'd stay up til 2am doom-scrolling, constantly anxious. I suggested a Nokia 3310 style phone (not literally a Nokia lol - it's a modern "dumb phone" that can text and call but no apps). He thought I was insane. It's been 2 months and his grades are up, he's actually talking to us again, and he says he sleeps better. He can still text friends, it's not like he's isolated. Obviously this won't work for everyone but man it's been a game-changer for us.
lol the Nokia 3310 is peak dad humor but also kind of genius because at least he CAN call/text in emergencies without the endless dopamine trap. How long before he's begging for a smartphone back?
my friends think I'm insane but honestly giving my kid a dumb phone actually forced him to be bored which forced him to actually THINK for the first time in like a year. the anxiety thing is real too - seems way more chill now