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Why a School Principal Switched from Smartphones to Flip Phones (msn.com) 90

Last week's story about a reporter switching to a flip phone was just part of a trend, argues a Chicago school principal who did the same thing.

"I do not feel punished. I feel free." Teachers said they could sense kids' phones distracting them from inside their pockets. We banned phones outright, equipping classrooms with lockboxes that the kids call "cellphone prisons." It's not perfect, but it's better. A teacher said, "It's like we have the children back...."

And what about adults? Ninety-five percent of young adults now keep their phones nearby every waking hour, according to a Gallup survey; 92% do when they sleep. We look at our phones an average of 352 times a day, according to one recent survey, almost four times more often than before COVID. We want children off their phones because we want them to be present, but children need our presence, too. When we are on our phones, we are somewhere else. As the title of one study notes, "The Mere Presence of One's Own Smartphone Reduces Available Cognitive Capacity...."

I made my screen gray. I deleted social media. I bought a lockbox and said I would keep my phone there. I didn't... Every year, I see kids get phones and disappear into them. I don't want that to happen to mine. I don't want that to have happened to me. So I quit. And now I have this flip phone.

What I don't have is Facetime or Instagram. I can't use Grubhub or Lyft or the Starbucks Mobile App. I don't even have a browser. I drove to a student's quinceañera, and I had to print out directions as if it were 2002... I can still make calls, though people are startled to get one. I can still text. And I can still see your pictures, though I can "heart" them only in my heart. The magic of smartphones is that they eliminate friction: touchscreens, auto-playing videos, endless scrolling. My phone isn't smooth.

That breaks the spell. Turning off my smartphone didn't fix all my problems. But I do notice my brain moving more deliberately, shifting less abruptly between moods. I am bored more, sure — the days feel longer — but I am deciding that's a good thing. And I am still connected to the people I love; they just can't text me TikToks...

I'm not doing this to change the culture. I'm doing this because I don't want my sons to remember me lost in my phone.

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Why a School Principal Switched from Smartphones to Flip Phones

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  • by thegarbz ( 1787294 ) on Monday January 15, 2024 @05:13AM (#64159237)

    When people can't control their urges simply, maybe completely removing any enticement is the only option.

    The only "trend" here is that a few people who are unable to control themselves, and most critically actually *want* to, took action.

    • by evanh ( 627108 )

      And a euphemism turned "fact" rises once again. Obsessing does not an addiction make.

      • And a euphemism turned "fact" rises once again. Obsessing does not an addiction make.

        By my interpretation, DSM-5 Substance Used Disorder Criteria beg to differ [verywellmind.com]. If you substitute "phone" for "substance", I think a pretty strong case can be made for legitimately calling smart phone use an addiction in some people.

        Yes, I know there are degrees of addiction. My sugar addiction actually ticks most of the boxes, but it shouldn't be mentioned in the same breath as addictions to alcohol, opiates, meth, etc. But medical practitioners don't stop treating obesity just because cancer exists.

    • Re: (Score:3, Insightful)

      And there it is. The problem isn't the phone, it's the lack of self control. No one is forcing you to put all of those apps on your phone let alone use them. No one is forcing you to check your phone every five minutes. If you want to make life easier, use your phone for the calendar, music, camera, email, text, maps, calculator, and other productive tools. And if you can't control yourself then don't install games and social sites. Done.
      • We live in a perfectly deterministic state machine, there is no self control, only environmental cases resulting in effect. There is no free will and the probability of this statement and all other statements made in argument to this is 1. As a result of reading this you now become 1. All is 1. All is.

    • When people can't control their urges simply, maybe completely removing any enticement is the only option.

      The only "trend" here is that a few people who are unable to control themselves, and most critically actually *want* to, took action.

      We're not talking about meth or smoking here where people will suffer withdrawal symptoms if they do not get more of the drug. It is just a phone, if they are forced to live without it for a few days, they'll be fine.

      The problem with calling it an "addiction" is that it gives people someone other than themselves to blame, allows them not to take responsibility for themselves when any issues with a phone, smart or otherwise.

      Ultimately, any lack of impulse control isn't the fault of the phones, it's the

      • Psychologists disagree with you.

        We're not talking about meth or smoking here where people will suffer withdrawal symptoms

        Yes we are. Drugs ultimately form an addiction by stimulating pleasure/reward in the brain. That can be directly as a result of chemical ingestion/injection/inhalation, or it can be indirect as a result of your biological processes creating an identical outcome for your brain.

        Your sense of euphoria, accomplishment, and pleasure really don't give a shit if it comes from your body processing nicotine, or the endorphin hit from masturbating to a porn video for the 3rd time today

    • Or is it that we've made the real world so god-awful and miserable that people would prefer to retreat into their phones?

      I remember reading a quote from the author Gore Vidal where he talked about losing interest in pulp novels because the real world was so much more interesting to him.

      Nobody ever seems to ask why so many people want so little to do with the real world anymore. Of course if you start asking those questions you have to start trying to fix the problems in the real world and there's a w
    • After all these years I didn't understand the song Detachable Penis by King Missile until I saw your comment.

    • Remember back in the day when everyone only had landlines, and they used to regularly unplug their phones from the wall because they didn't want anyone to be able to contact them, even in an emergency, and people were concerned that it was a sign of phone addiction to be accessible by phone as much as 95% of the time?

      No?

      Back then if you had expressed this "concern" nearly everybody would have thought you had some sort of problem, perhaps not really psychological, but certainly a strange and hard to understa

    • by whitroth ( 9367 )

      You mean like you? You who texts while driving? Or walks down the street or hall, and expects people to get out of your way?

      I accuse YOU, personally, of being someone who "can't control your urges".

  • Good for them. (Score:4, Interesting)

    by Mr_Silver ( 213637 ) on Monday January 15, 2024 @05:18AM (#64159243)

    If carrying around a flip phone works for people, then I'm happy for them.

    That said, I remember the bad old days of carrying around a separate calendar, address book, pocket map, notepad, book and music player. Not to mention the inability to look up something instantly, entertain myself during a wait, and the need to lug around a load of cards in my wallet.

    As someone who lived through that, I have absolutely zero desire to go back to anything remotely close to it.

    • An intermediate solution rather than a flip-phone is a linux-based smartphone. It has many things that makes it helpful (maps, music player, browser, notepad, book reader, calendar). What is does not have is the official social media apps. You still can access them through the browser, but the inconvenience will create a small barrier that could be sufficient to suppress use.

      What is you use case for "a load of cards"? I can think one needs a payment card a in some places a train/metro pass. What else is nee

      • What is you use case for "a load of cards"?

        I used to also carry around a number of loyalty cards, membership cards and a library card - which would invariably bulk out my wallet.

        Now I digitise them and carry them on my phone. I still carry a debit and credit card as backup, but the size of my wallet is significantly reduced.

      • I have an iPhone 14.

        It doesn't have any "social media" apps either.

        • I'm happy for you. The person in TFA can't control themselves and thought of resorting to the technical solution of using a flip-phone, and then discussing the drawbacks. As an engineer I proposed a slightly improved technical solution that have significantly fewer drawbacks. What is the solution you propose? I dont' think an iPhone 14 would work for the problem exposed in TFA.

        • by Dusanyu ( 675778 )
          I have a IPhone SE and I am verry grudgeing when i have to pull it out of my pocket to run the Authenticator App for the university Network login my preffrance would be to leve it on my desk at home while in Accademic buildings. I prefure to be unpluged so most of the time i leve my phone in silent mode toss it in my bag and only pull it out if i need to make a call. Prehaps it's my age (46) but i never got into the Scocial media thing and can go long periods without the internet and simply enjoy being alon
      • Re:Good for them. (Score:5, Insightful)

        by TheNameOfNick ( 7286618 ) on Monday January 15, 2024 @06:52AM (#64159317)

        You know what also doesn't have "the official social media apps"? A smartphone on which you uninstall or disable or just don't install them. WTF is wrong with you people? You don't need to become a Tibetan monk to have some semblance of self control. Do you drink every beer that is put in front of you? You're addicts. It's not the phone, it's YOU.

        • by TractorBarry ( 788340 ) on Monday January 15, 2024 @08:18AM (#64159377) Homepage

          > Do you drink every beer that is put in front of you?

          Yes. It would be extremely rude not to !

        • by registrations_suck ( 1075251 ) on Monday January 15, 2024 @08:22AM (#64159389)

          I won't drink ANY beer placed in front of me. It smells bad and tastes worse.

        • This is about people who can't control themselves. Yelling "WTF is wrong with you" is not doing much to help them.

          • >"This is about people who can't control themselves.

            So they can't control themselves to simply not install certain apps. But they can control themselves to buy a dumb phone and not replace it?

            Why not just use a smart phone, uninstall the distraction apps, and have someone password-protect the app installer where you don't know the password?

        • Do you drink every beer that is put in front of you?

          Yes. ... Like what are you even doing at the pub otherwise? And why are people buying your beer other than the expectation that you drink it? Are you that much of an arse that someone spends money on you and you're like... "nah".

          I put my smartphone down all the time. But I never turn down a beer. Thanks to my smartphone having the Uber app installed I never need to.

      • An intermediate solution rather than a flip-phone is a linux-based smartphone. It has many things that makes it helpful (maps, music player, browser, notepad, book reader, calendar). What is does not have is the official social media apps. You still can access them through the browser, but the inconvenience will create a small barrier that could be sufficient to suppress use.

        I'd give a LOT for a viable Linux phone. I keep checking on the status of the Pinephone and the Librem 5; the reports say that they still don't reliably handle basic phone functions and they run for less than 24 hours on a full charge.

        • That sounds more like the Pinephone Pro status currently. The cheaper model is in much better shape. They should both handle basic phone functions just fine though; It's the advanced features that are more touch-and-go.

      • by jbengt ( 874751 )

        What is you use case for "a load of cards"? I can think one needs a payment card a in some places a train/metro pass.

        The commuter rail service I used to take actually started to require a smartphone app for certain tickets, included the discounted day pass and ten-ride tickets. (You can still buy a paper one-way ticket with cash on board, or a monthly at a vending machine or a rare ticket agent)

        • The commuter rail service I used to take actually started to require a smartphone app for certain tickets, included the discounted day pass and ten-ride tickets. (You can still buy a paper one-way ticket with cash on board, or a monthly at a vending machine or a rare ticket agent)

          That sucks. Which rail service is this? I need to know so I can avoid it. Anything that REQUIRES a smartphone for me to use it is a no-go for me.

    • Re:Good for them. (Score:5, Insightful)

      by narcc ( 412956 ) on Monday January 15, 2024 @08:59AM (#64159465) Journal

      entertain myself during a wait

      You might not believe this, but there was a time when adults didn't need to be constantly entertained like small children. Hell, there was a time when even children had the discipline to wait quietly and patiently.

      I used to say that 'an educated mind is never bored', though I'll admit that you'd need to be pretty dull to not have something to occupy your thoughts in the odd idle moment.

      I remember the bad old days of carrying around a separate calendar, address book, pocket map, notepad, book and music player. [...] As someone who lived through that, I have absolutely zero desire to go back to anything remotely close to it.

      That's a problem of your own making. Because I'm such a swell guy, I'm going to liberate you. When you go out, try leaving your toys at home. If you can't be without your phone for some serious reason, keep it in your pocket. Don't answer calls, texts, or whatever if it's not urgent. Once you get over the DTs, you'll find that you never needed a pacifier to get through the day. More than that, you'll find that you don't even want the pointless distractions anymore. Like any addiction, it's an albatross around your neck that has been dragging you down and holding you back. You'll feel a lot better when it isn't controlling your life.

      For the record, I do have a smartphone. It is possible to own one without looking at it constantly.

      • >"I do have a smartphone. It is possible to own one without looking at it constantly."

        Yep. I have had smartphones as long as they have been around. And smartwatches as long as they have been around. I have no social apps and have no desire to "check my phone" ever. It is a tool. I use it when I needed it.

        It alerts me only if I have a call or text message. I don't give the number to ANY business/organization, I block all unknown-to-me numbers, and I tell my friends/family to Email me, not text me,

      • by skam240 ( 789197 )

        You're trying to "liberate" them from a bunch of smart phone features they find useful? I know i used to have to carry around much of what they list until I got a smart phone, what a pain it was relative to today. I'd rather have all that in one device and just not do social media which is where most folk's screen addiction comes from.

      • entertain myself during a wait

        You might not believe this, but there was a time when adults didn't need to be constantly entertained like small children. Hell, there was a time when even children had the discipline to wait quietly and patiently.

        I used to say that 'an educated mind is never bored', though I'll admit that you'd need to be pretty dull to not have something to occupy your thoughts in the odd idle moment.

        I remember the bad old days of carrying around a separate calendar, address book, pocket map, notepad, book and music player. [...] As someone who lived through that, I have absolutely zero desire to go back to anything remotely close to it.

        That's a problem of your own making. Because I'm such a swell guy, I'm going to liberate you. When you go out, try leaving your toys at home. If you can't be without your phone for some serious reason, keep it in your pocket. Don't answer calls, texts, or whatever if it's not urgent. Once you get over the DTs, you'll find that you never needed a pacifier to get through the day. More than that, you'll find that you don't even want the pointless distractions anymore. Like any addiction, it's an albatross around your neck that has been dragging you down and holding you back. You'll feel a lot better when it isn't controlling your life.

        For the record, I do have a smartphone. It is possible to own one without looking at it constantly.

        I'm with you. I've had smartphones for quite a while, yet still sit in waiting rooms "doing nothing." In truth, I'm wandering the corridors inside, letting the stray thoughts wander as they will. But, I've been told my brain doesn't work like a "normal" person. I tend to dive into creative pursuits in down moments. So, though I appear I'm doing nothing on the outside, inside there's a dude with a pen jotting notes for the next part of the story I'm currently writing, and another dude with a guitar writing r

      • by pz ( 113803 )

        For the record, I do have a smartphone. It is possible to own one without looking at it constantly.

        As do I, and it mostly stays in my briefcase, or my jacket pocket, except for the odd call or text. I almost never use it otherwise, as a proper-sized screen and keyboard is a far easier and more efficient interface to obtain information from online sources.

        I wear a watch, because I like them, and, as someone else pointed out, having a watch means I'm not pulling out my phone just to check the time and getting distracted by the shiny. That would be a regular mechanical watch (well, one with a quartz movem

      • You'll feel a lot better when it isn't controlling your life.

        I'm no doctor, but I don't think that the mere appreciation of the option to (say) listen to an interesting podcast to while away a couple of hours waiting for an aeroplane to land is much of an indicator that my phone is controlling my life.

        Once you get over the DTs, you'll find that you never needed a pacifier to get through the day.

        It's been 26 odd years now and I've never ever felt my phone to be a pacifier but, if it gets to that stage, then

      • but there was a time when adults didn't need to be constantly entertained like small children

        Actually they did. The human brain craves something to do. The only difference is you scratched that itch differently in the past.

        • by narcc ( 412956 )

          My point was that you should be able to "scratch that itch" without a toy. Do you really not have anything to occupy your mind? No questions? No hobbies?

          I call it an addiction because I see so many groups of friends out together staring at their respective devices and ignoring one another. Are they all just really uninteresting people or a bunch of junkies? Is that endless stream of nonsense really more interesting than their friends? What does that say about them?

  • Weak-ass people with no discipline will get distracted by anything. Admittedly smart phones are the good stuff and easy to get addicted to, but they're also very useful and you're throwing away the benefits when you can only control your urges by abstaining completely. Learn some self control, user.

    • by gweihir ( 88907 ) on Monday January 15, 2024 @07:15AM (#64159339)

      In other news, claiming people with an addiction problem are just "weak" is disconnected, untrue, without compassion, solves no problem and just serves to promote how supposedly "strong" the one making the claim is, in true Übermensch fashion.

      • by thegarbz ( 1787294 ) on Monday January 15, 2024 @01:54PM (#64160281)

        In other news, claiming people with an addiction problem are just "weak" is disconnected, untrue, without compassion, solves no problem and just serves to promote how supposedly "strong" the one making the claim is, in true Übermensch fashion.

        Actually it's not wrong. Strength of mind is the ultimate arbiter of overcoming an addiction. Weak minded is the very real word, you just think it's an insult when in fact it accurately describes the brain of most of the population when dealing with some kind of addiction.

        For every 10 people who spend a fortune on nicotine patches and therapy, there's a person out there who quit cold turkey without issue. Same with every other drug or addiction. There are those people strong minded enough to overcome their addiction. Most people are not those, they are weak-minded and need help.

        Just because you don't like the sound of the word doesn't make it wrong.

        • Re: (Score:2, Insightful)

          by Anonymous Coward

          If it's 9 out of 10 people I propose that it is normal minded, not weak (as is your argument)

        • Note that not everyone has the same level of addiction to the same stimulus. I've met people who've been able to quit smoking cold turkey and those who haven't. Regarding other things, those who weren't able to quit weren't weak minded compared to those who managed, even though in quantity of cigarettes and duration the addiction seemed to be similarly strong. How strong the chemical and psychological workings really are can apparently be different.
  • by sysrammer ( 446839 ) on Monday January 15, 2024 @05:25AM (#64159253) Homepage

    I look at my phone a lot because I prefer to use it rather than a watch, but other than that I'm fine.

    And I like that its alarm is telling me that it's almost time for my child's ball game.

    Turning off the alarm I noticed the latest news snippets (I like to be an informed citizen).

    "Oh crap, look what Trump said! Can you believe it?!"

    "Oh lord, look what Biden failed to say. Can you believe it?!"

    Hey, Slashdot just dropped a new article! Let's see what it has to say...

    Shit, missed the ball game!

    But I'm fine. Might as well post something.

  • Dumped Social media (Score:3, Interesting)

    by sit1963nz ( 934837 ) on Monday January 15, 2024 @05:25AM (#64159257)
    I dumped social media entirely, I found I got over an hour a day back in my life to do actual interesting things.
    I am teaching myself how to use a metal lathe, I read more, I talk to family more.
    Life is better.
  • Who's this about? (Score:5, Interesting)

    by VeryFluffyBunny ( 5037285 ) on Monday January 15, 2024 @05:29AM (#64159259)
    Is this about a school principle & his pupils or about a father & his children? If it's about banning smartphones in schools, that case has already been well-established & pretty much every school that has implemented *effective* bans, i.e. it's no longer possible for pupils to be distracted by their own or others' smartphones, has seen dramatic improvements in pupil well-being & academic achievement. Here's the case well-argued: https://www.afterbabel.com/p/p... [afterbabel.com]
    • by ShanghaiBill ( 739463 ) on Monday January 15, 2024 @06:52AM (#64159321)

      At my kids' high school, any student whose cell phone interrupts the class has to come to the front of the room and dance the Macarena.

      This is a surprisingly effective deterrent.

      Los del Rio - Macarena [youtube.com]

      • Interrupting the lesson? That's it? What about all the other pupils being constantly distracted by their smartphones between the pages of their books, in their pockets, in their bags, etc.?
  • Why? (Score:4, Funny)

    by registrations_suck ( 1075251 ) on Monday January 15, 2024 @06:30AM (#64159303)

    And why do the rest of us need to hear about?

    It's like the old joke...how do you know someone doesn't watch TV? They'll tell you.

  • by serafean ( 4896143 ) on Monday January 15, 2024 @06:52AM (#64159319)

    Going flip-phone is probably taking it too far. Having a really portable connected computing device (aka smartphone) is a really useful thing.

    Today we have better communicators than SMS, many of which could be implemented on an old phone, but won't.
    Massive group ommunication is a problem: very easy to feel left out, aven after a single hour. Catching up takes ages.
    No social media* apps installed, disable most notifications.
    Use RSS readers, that sync once a day. That removes the need/urge to check various pages, and doesn't pop at random times.

    Now, phone free schools (schools, not just classrooms)? Yes.
    Phone free bedrooms? Hell yes! Easy funny way to help do that: no chargers in the bedroom.

    Having written this, I actually understand why the fliphone... That's a lot of self imposed restrictions.

    * Chat apps aren't necessarily social media. Very thin line indeed...

    • Re:Too far. (Score:5, Insightful)

      by quonset ( 4839537 ) on Monday January 15, 2024 @08:20AM (#64159383)

      Going flip-phone is probably taking it too far. Having a really portable connected computing device (aka smartphone) is a really useful thing.

      I have had a flip phone for a long time and I have yet to find any downside. I make and receive phone calls and can, if absolutely necessary, send and receive texts. But let's run down your issues.

      Massive group ommunication is a problem: very easy to feel left out, aven after a single hour. Catching up takes ages.

      You're assuming everyone has a "massive" group to communicate with, whether family or friends. Such is not the case.

      No social media* apps installed, disable most notifications.

      Have you seen what "social media" is like? Not having such crap around is a good thing.

      Use RSS readers, that sync once a day. That removes the need/urge to check various pages, and doesn't pop at random times.

      Other than when I'm at home, I don't have the urge to check the news every other minute of the day when I'm out and about. If something's important, it can wait until I get home. I don't need to be doom scrolling while I'm driving. I leave that to others who I honk my horn at when they're sitting at a green light.

      Having written this, I actually understand why the fliphone... That's a lot of self imposed restrictions.

      It's not restrictions. It's not caring. Not caring about what others are whining about on social media (this site excepted). Not caring about what semi-famous person said or did which has no effect on my life. Not thinking the world will come to an end if I'm not available 24/7.

      For reference [9cache.com].

      • Ah, I need seriously better writing skills...

        From "Massive group communication" on it was meant as downsides to smartphones, restrictions on "common smartphone usage" , and potential solutions.
        We actually agree on pretty much everything.

        > It's not restrictions.

        It is restrictions: not using the device the same way as your peers do. You exit a common social structure.
        For a long time I didn't have whatsapp (privacy reasons), I finally caved when it became the way of organizing two of my hobby groups.
        Linking

        • It is restrictions: not using the device the same way as your peers do. You exit a common social structure.

          That may be a selling point, considering what a disaster the common social structure appears to be today.

      • The long battery life is a massive positive I guess. I just need a smartphone for my job.

      • by myrdos2 ( 989497 )

        The maps are handy. I can always check where a certain store is, and if it's open. Also, being able to read the BBC news while waiting in line is nice. Plus there are no clocks anywhere anymore, so you either need a phone or a watch to tell time. Always having a camera is good, for example I can take a picture of the bottom of my garburetor to see what model it is, and use the flashlight feature to get a good look in there. Then I can play a YouTube video on how to remove it.

        Social media may be tedious and

  • by donstenk ( 74880 ) on Monday January 15, 2024 @07:18AM (#64159343) Homepage

    I recommend digital minimalism where you decide what you want achieve and then decide which apps go with that.

    Itâ(TM)s simple you donâ(TM)t need to buy any new phone, just take control of what you have.

    I found removing all notifications except for phone call go a long way, removing all social media apps and use a website instead of an app when possible.

    Check your mail or messages a few times a day and use fantastic advances like gps navigation or the amazing cameras when needed.

    Yes, there are shades of grey, itâ(TM)s does not need to be black or white. Whatever works for you however - or creates a clickety bitey headline.

    • Are you sure you can remove apps? An awful lot of crap (and tracking) is built-in by default. It's been that way on laptops since... forever.

  • An example I think would be Nokia "feature phones", I particularly liked the modern rehash of the 6300 (https://www.nokia.com/phones/en_ie/nokia-6300-4g?sku=16LIOB01A12) which has Google Maps and Whatsapp. It can also be hacked to delete the Facebook app :)
  • I don't know, the whole dumbphone craze seems externally motivated to me. As in, it's not about opting out for yourself, but to demonstrate to everybody else how opted out you are. And maybe to use it as a conversation starter.

    Worried about losing time on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and YouTube? Don't install their apps. I don't think that takes more self-discipline than ditching your smartphone altogether.

    I need 2FA to log in to internal systems at work, and it uses an app. The login to my eBanking also us
  • by bsdetector101 ( 6345122 ) on Monday January 15, 2024 @08:09AM (#64159367)
    I have NO social media apps on my phone and will never go back to a flip phone. Is this a TikTok trend ??? People that follow trends are mindless anyway.
  • Welcome to the new you...* Unplugged*

  • I am bored more, sure — the days feel longer — but I am deciding that's a good thing.

    As I tell my kids, as long as you have your brain, you should never be bored. There are always cool things to think about, investigate, or observe, no matter where you are. You just have to find them.

    As for days feeling longer, if you are mentally and physically active, that's a very good thing.

    Two decades ago, we got rid of our television because I found myself spending the evening in front of the idiot box and when it came time for bed, I was neither really entertained, nor educated in any way, nor had

    • Two decades ago, we got rid of our television because I found myself spending the evening in front of the idiot box and when it came time for bed, I was neither really entertained, nor educated in any way, nor had I accomplished anything. It was an utter waste of time. We haven't had television service (that is, cable) in 20 years.

      This is absolutely nothing about television in general; only what you, personally, chose to consume on your television.

      • by pz ( 113803 )

        Do you remember what was on cable and broadcast TV 20 years ago during prime time? I'll give you a hint, there was no Netflix or other streaming services (to first approximation). If you wanted to watch something that wasn't broadcast at a convenient time, you had to record it through something like a DVR or TiVo.

        There was the occasional show that was well-written and well-produced, but mostly the available content was palaver to keep the masses glued to their sets through the commercials. What was avail

        • I remember what television was like forty years ago. Having an antenna with an alignment dial, as you had to point it in three directions to get three channels.

          Somehow I still managed to find, on those three channels in the middle of nowhere, educational shows, fine arts, thought provoking shows, and all sorts of enriching entertainment.

          Sure, I also found the A-Team and Knight Rider and Air Wolf.

          I can barely remember a single episode of any of those shows, but I still watch When The Wind Blows once every f

  • If they had been marketed as "pocket internet-connected computers with cameras and microphones", I suspect that handing them out to children like candy would have been less popular ...
  • Why didn't the guy just uninstalled the apps?

  • Maybe phones need to come with another "mode".

    One that can be controlled on a timer so the phone is in fliphone mode during school hours (texts and calls only - maybe even more restrictions)

    • Maybe phones need to come with another "mode".

      One that can be controlled on a timer so the phone is in fliphone mode during school hours (texts and calls only - maybe even more restrictions)

      Some phones have "night hours" settings, that lock out most of your apps during the time you designate. I've never had much use for them. I just choose not to use those apps during that time, and keep my notifications off for everything except my 2FA app for work. It's a problem that seems self-solving. Just takes some willpower. Which, admittedly is super difficult to find for some folks.

  • "Flip Phone" does not mean it's not a smartphone. Witness the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5.

    There's been smart flip phones for at least 15 years.
  • He's not the only one by far, who's trading in the "rectangle of knowledge" for a low tech communication device. I've read that this is a thing with Gen Z and some Hipsters. I find myself approving of the move.

    I'm currently reassessing what I actually use my smartphone for. Mine is old -- released in 2014 and I am in no hurry to upgrade it. Maybe it's time for a downgrade? The first very positive thing is that I would not have to charge it every night. Old style flips would go over a week between char

  • Quit being a weak pussy. Don't blame your shit attention span on an inanimate object; blame yourself. Time to man up, put the toy away, and take control of your life.

I think there's a world market for about five computers. -- attr. Thomas J. Watson (Chairman of the Board, IBM), 1943

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