Why You Should Switch to a Dumb Flip Phone

I am not going to waste your time with this (smartphones do, though).

A CAT S22 “Rugged Phone”.

I thought about switching to a Dumb Flip Phone (DFP) for two years before I actually did.

There were four primary tools that, originally, seemed hard to “give up” with a dumb phone: navigation/GPS, the notes app, music on demand, and the built-in camera. Then, I discovered that these hang-ups are not valid, and that switching to a DFP would not only be good for my brain health, but also fun and interesting.

To note: Some flip phones DO have the capability for Spotify and GPS maps, but I have AT&T as a carrier, and the only DFP that worked with their service does not. I am still able to call and text.

Navigation

This might be news to you, but habitual use of GPS in getting from Point A to Point B is detrimental to your brain health. By using technology for spacial navigation, you surrender your agency and prohibit your brain for growing. The hippocampus is the part of the brain responsible for spatial memory, navigation, and mental mapping. Not only do these skills help with physical memory, anthropologists suggest that navigation might be the starting point for all memories. So, in offloading the mental exercise of paying attention to where you are & where you are going, your hippocampus suffers.

What did we use pre-GPS? Physical Maps (made of paper).

Because my DFP has no GPS, I get to navigate the old-fashioned way when driving. If I know the idea of the route, I’ll just send it and hope for the best. If, in advance, I know that I’m going some place completely new, I will plug the destination into my computer to get the fastest route. Then, I write down the street names, turns, and miles in my tiny notebook. I adore this way of navigation, not only because it allows me to be intentional with my plans, but because it forces me to pay attention to street signs and actually learn what’s going on around me. In the unlikely event that I cannot plan my route with a computer, I keep a Thomas Brothers map (or Thomas Guide) of California in my car. It’s super easy to use and helps me feel connected to my parents and grandparents, who used the same maps.

The Notes App

I shouldn’t even have to explain that writing things down is more beneficial than typing. This is well-known. I keep a cute little spiral notebook instead of a Notes app.

On-Demand Music (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.)

I could point out that listening to music with lyrics interferes with cognitive tasks. Or that listening to background music stints creativity. Or even that rumination on negative thoughts or feelings through listening to music can contribute to the development of depression and anxiety.

I won’t make these issues my main claim, as I don’t think that music is inherently “bad.” The main reason you should let go of your Spotify Premium account comes from Ray Bradbury’s incredible dystopian novel Fahrenheit 451. Along with book burnings, censorship, control and mass media, the people in Fahrenheit 451 wear “seashells” in their ears. Seashells are constant and immersive audio devices that provide constant distraction (from their loneliness), detach the listener from the real world, and prohibit deep thought.

What a tragedy… a world of people who cannot think deeply.

When you’re listening to music, you’re not thinking. I’m not saying that you should cut out music altogether, but a reduction should be in place if you have a hard time sitting with your thoughts or being bored. Deep thinking is so critical, especially in our day. With a DFP, I don’t listen to music on my runs & workouts. Instead, I think, focus, and pray. If I really need portable music, I download it onto my iPod. While driving, I either pray, think, call my mom, or listen to the radio. There is something to be said about the radio, too! A good way of removing yourself from the center of the world is to surrender control of your life. Little steps like letting someone else (the radio host) decide what music is played can help you grow in humility and thoughtfulness. Plus, you get to discover new songs. When I’m in my room and require some tunes, I use a CD player. Not only do I get to listen to old CDs, I also have fun burning my own CDs. It’s a creative process that forces me to be selective – why should I waste my time listening to slop?

Camera

Have you heard of the “photo-taking-impairment effect”? The issue of the camera is another outsourcing dilemma. Taking photos can actually impair your memories of an experience. “We either offload the responsibility of remembering moments when we take pictures of them, or we’re so distracted by the process of taking a photo that we miss the moment altogether” (Austin). Why would I want to make my brain and memories weaker? We should take fewer photos.

I’ve never been a fan of the term “pics or it didn’t happen…” the majority of history has happened without the need for an instagram photo. However, cameras are a tool that can be utilized correctly, which is why I use a small and inexpensive digital camera, instead of relying on my DFP.

Other Considerations

Most of the apps that we frequently utilize on a smartphone are also accessible on a computer. My Garmin connects to my computer. I can log into Venmo, Slack, CapCut, Weather, Fizz, Surfline, PADI, and anything else that I may need.

Losses from Using a Smartphone

Beyond what we’ve talked about, there are so many other facets of degeneracy stemming from smartphone use and addiction. People pull out their phones while they’re waiting in line as a defense mechanism (are they scared of social interaction?). Unrestricted internet access leads people to unhealthy and dangerous behaviors. Social media.

And to go full red-pill, despite smartphone radiation being non-ionizing, some people actually develop Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity. Furthermore, I’m not even kidding when I tell you that prolonged electromagnetic field exposure has the capacity to decrease fertility and alter your hormones. Some question these claims, but wouldn’t you rather be safe than sorry? Why iPhonemaxx when you can fertilitymaxx?? Hopefully I haven’t lost you. Anyway…

Benefits from Using a DFP

When I switched to a DFP, I noticed that I was altogether more intentional, thoughtful, introspective, and present. I read a LOT more. My studying became exponentially more productive. My life is more tedious in some capacity (writing down street names and burning CDs), but it is beyond worth it.

It really is the damn phone.

Founded in 2025, Reconnect Stanford is a Stanford student-led movement & non-profit dedicated to helping people step away from addictive platforms and toward meaningful connection, time, and attention. We build community around social media sobriety through stories, support for students who delete, peer-to-peer mentorship with middle and high schoolers, and events where peers disconnect together.

To learn more and support our cause, visit reconnectstanford.org. To submit a guest piece, email reconnectstanford@gmail.com.

About the author: Raised in Southern California, Angela King is a second-year student at Stanford University who loves Jesus. She deleted her social media accounts in 2026.