New “Dumb Phone” Aims to Reclaim Childhood Hours Amidst Growing Parental Concerns Over Smartphone Use
A new device, designed to offer essential dialog and utility features without the addictive allure of a full smartphone, is entering the market.This “dumb phone” provides access to services like banking, public transport details, schooling resources, calendars, and weather updates.
Initial trials with a similar device in the US indicated that children engaged with it for approximately 15 minutes to an hour daily.This contrasts sharply with the nearly three hours of daily screen time reported by eight to 14-year-olds in the UK. According to Kaspar, a key figure involved, children tend to lose interest in these simplified devices because they lack the “magic” and “fun” of smartphones, leading to notable reclaimed “life hours.”
However, the device’s high price point is expected to limit its market to thousands of units rather than millions. This cost is attributed to a flexible contract structure that allows for cancellation at any time, and the purposeful exclusion of the full app store and browsers, which are typically significant revenue generators for smartphone companies.
Thomas Husson, principal analyst at market research firm Forrester, commented that the market for such devices remains niche, and parents are currently unwilling to pay a ample premium for a “dumb phone.”
The product is targeting parents who are actively seeking alternatives to pervasive smartphone use among their children. This trend is reflected in recent actions, such as primary schools in Hampshire implementing device bans.Similar products, including those under the Pinwheel and Balance brands, are already available.
Daisy Greenwell, co-founder of the Smartphone Free Childhood campaign, highlighted the difficulty in creating a truly secure and stripped-down phone, noting that children are often adept at circumventing restrictions. She stated, “There is real demand for something like this from parents, especially of teens who don’t want to be lumbered with a phone that sticks out like a Nokia.” However, she cautioned that the price would be a significant barrier for many, notably children from low-income families who are most vulnerable to online harms. Greenwell emphasized that this situation underscores the need for stronger government policies to ensure the protection of all children, not just those whose parents can afford such solutions.
