Why Everyone’s Ditching Their Smartphones

Why Everyone’s Ditching Their Smartphones

From Oh My Tech! by Sarah Kimmel

May 25, 2026 · 12 min · Season 5 · Episode 16

About this episode

This episode explores the trend of moving towards a lower-tech lifestyle and the importance of digital detox.

With AI advancement, constant overstimulation, and tech addiction, it often feels like we are hurtling toward an overly tech-based world. We now have devices to track our sleep, smart home security, and cars that resemble KITT from  Knight Rider . Many of us are longing for the days when technology didn’t seep into every single aspect of our lives. This overwhelming connectivity explains why people are gravitating toward a lower-tech lifestyle. But what does this movement actually entail, and is this trend going to stick around or fade away like crimped hair and pegged jeans? Don’t get me wrong—I adore technology. I’m not about to give up the comforts I’ve become accustomed to, like GPS navigation. How did we even find anything back in the ‘90s? We had paper maps, but I honestly can’t remember how I managed to navigate to a friend’s house. Yet, for all the great things technology helps us accomplish, there are definite downsides. Too often, technology uses us instead of us using it. How People Are Unplugging: Dumbphones and E-Ink To combat this, there is a massive uptick in the “dumbphone” transition. People are gravitating toward minimal devices like the Wisephone, or even…

People in this episode

Host: Sarah Kimmel

Topics covered

  • digital detox
  • tech dependency
  • simple living
  • phone addiction
  • lower-tech lifestyle

Keywords

  • smartphones
  • technology
  • digital life
  • addiction
  • simple living

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