A Growing Trend
About three months ago, Seth Lavin, a principal at a middle school in Chicago, made a bold decision – he bought a flip phone and turned off his smartphone for good. While the interest in old-fashioned flip phones is on the rise, Lavin doesn’t see himself as trendy. In fact, his students’ reactions to his flip phone range from surprise to disbelief. But for Lavin, this change represents freedom rather than punishment.
Kids and the Smartphone Era
Children’s relationship with their phones has changed significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic. With more screen time than ever before, teachers have noticed the negative impact of phones on their students’ focus and engagement. To address this issue, Lavin’s school implemented a ban on phones and introduced lockboxes in classrooms, giving teachers a sense of having their students back.
Screen Dependence Programs
The effects of screen dependence are not limited to children. According to a Gallup survey, 95% of young adults keep their phones nearby at all times while awake, and 92% do so even while they sleep. Adults now look at their phones an average of 352 times a day, almost four times more often than before the pandemic. The need for presence and connection is overshadowed by the constant distraction of screens.
The Impact on Presence
It is crucial for children to have their parents’ presence, just as parents want their children to be present. However, when parents are constantly on their phones, they are mentally elsewhere. Research has shown that the mere presence of one’s own smartphone reduces available cognitive capacity. Lavin’s after-school director expressed the desire for parents to be off their phones during pickup, emphasizing the importance of that one moment when their children first see them.
A Personal Revelation
Realizing the impact of his own phone usage, Lavin made the decision to disconnect. He reduced his screen time by making his smartphone screen gray, deleting social media apps, and purchasing a lockbox to keep his phone out of reach. However, he struggled to stick to these changes. Feeling that he was missing out on his sons’ lives, he decided to quit using a smartphone altogether and switched to a basic flip phone.
A New Perspective
While Lavin’s flip phone lacks the convenience and features of a smartphone, it has given him a new perspective on life. Although it hasn’t solved all his problems, he has noticed that his brain operates more deliberately, with smoother transitions between moods. Though he experiences more boredom, he sees it as a positive change. Despite the limitations of his flip phone, Lavin remains connected to his loved ones, albeit without the ability to receive TikToks and other media.
A Resistance to Smartphone Dependency
While a revolution against smartphones may seem unlikely, there are signs of resistance. Attorneys general from California and 32 other states are suing Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, alleging that these platforms have addicted children to harmful content. Additionally, according to Gallup, the percentage of adults who believe their smartphones make their lives worse has doubled since 2015.
A Personal Choice
Lavin’s decision to switch to a flip phone was not motivated by a desire to change the culture or be part of a larger movement. He simply wants his sons to remember him as present and engaged, rather than lost in his phone. By disconnecting from the smartphone world, he has found a renewed sense of connection with his family and the world around him.
Seth Lavin, a dedicated school principal in Chicago, has taken a step back from the smartphone era to place more importance on presence and genuine connection.