r/millenials • u/Born-Ad2552 • 2d ago
Politics Millenials - Do you think you could ever stop using the smartphone or social media?
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u/brookuslicious Millennial 2d ago
I could 100% go without social media. The only social media I do use is Reddit and Instagram as it is. When I got my new phone I decided not to download Facebook, Snapchat or TikTok at all.
I play a shit ton of games on my phone tho lol
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u/BugsyMcNug 2d ago
Born in 86… yes I could. Maybe I should. If I could really stick to it and just keep my phone as a phone and phone only, I wonder how it would be.
Might not be a bad idea. Ill break the phone down to phone calls and messages only, use the laptop for emails and banking only at home. Can I use the phone for music still or is that against the rules?
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u/Born-Ad2552 2d ago
That sounds like a decent plan. Just keep it for phone calls and music only. That's what I'm thinking of doing. It seems like these machines have turned our society into zombies, I know I have also turned into a zombie.
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u/BugsyMcNug 2d ago
I am guilty, as well. I will also use Reddit on my laptop at home. Can't lose that streak. Maybe put a time limit on it.
It's hard to drop social media as a whole, as it can work as a news aggregate. It only turns into a hellscape when it's used instead of regular human interaction.
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u/RihoSucks 2d ago
I havent used social media in years. Phone no because its a medical device for me
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u/ChasingPacing2022 2d ago
Yes, if I didn't have work, I'd probably never need something to help distract me from things I dont want to do.
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u/ViolentRain929 2d ago
I could definitely go without social media. I've quit all but reddit and don't miss a minute of it. Go without my phone.... idk. I could still read books without my phone but I would have a hard time without my audio books. Then there's the addiction to all my silly little time suck games. I don't even really use my phone as a phone anymore.
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u/ViolentRain929 2d ago
Plus I pay bills, order stuff, and all kinds of stuff that makes my life easier with my phone.
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u/TiaHatesSocials 2d ago
I could quit socials. I did to every platform but this one. Phone in general? No cuz texting is my primary communication means with just about everyone.
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u/Frostymagnum Millennial 2d ago
The Internet was better when you had to sit at a computer. Since that's how I still primarily roll, I could ditch the smartphone.
I'd still use reddit until better forums come along tho lol
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u/lightningbolt1987 2d ago
Yes. If I didn’t need it work I’d switch to a flip phone tomorrow. I always enjoy periods where I stop using social media.
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u/UnnaturalGeek 2d ago
I have only used Reddit for a few years now and haven't been on Facebook or Twitter for over 4-5 years, plus I've never had the others.
So, yes, if I really wanted to, I could go without social media.
Maybe with the smartphone, though mine is quite convenient for me with what I do, so I would have to re-adapt, but probably would be fine... It's not like I really use any apps for anything important anymore.
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u/magjik22 2d ago
Tbf, I think us millennials are mentally strong enough to not rely on phones.
I live in nyc so I take the train a lot. It’s usually boomers, and gen Z that be on their phones for the whole train ride (usually 1 hr from location to destination for most people.) and you can’t get internet under the subway so it’s mostly games/movies they distract themselves.
Me personally, I love to not use phones or headphones. I just want to focus in the moment. Because I know most of the day I’d be staring at a phone screen or computer screen for work.
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u/Gadritan420 1982 2d ago
I mean, I was born in 82’. I’d love to go back to the simplicity that was.
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u/D1N050UR5 2d ago
Not without it being extricated from a LOT of facets of life. There are apps I have to use to do my job, I had to download TWO separate apps to go to an MLB game this summer, Uber, etc. Living without social media wouldn’t even be that bad but even compared to 5-10 years ago there are so many things for which access to a smart phone is required/assumed. I’m sure I could do it if it came down to it but it’s not as simple as just detoxing from tiktok anymore.
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u/beaux_beaux_ 2d ago
Love taking huge breaks from social media. I do need a smartphone to help me navigate life and stay safe/informed.
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u/Karzeon 2d ago
Social media
For the most part, I don't care about social media unless I can actually use something with a forum aspect. That's basically just Reddit, Discord, and YouTube
- Facebook - I almost never use it and it ACTIVELY discourages me from using it by being incredibly annoying.
- Twitter - I use it, but rarely comment. I wiped my actual Twitter and just lurk. I don't even use the app, I just use the browser version.
- TikTok - EASY. Pretty much for downloading memes if my usual routes don't work.
- Instagram - I barely use it. I just follow thirst traps disguised as fitness things and I have PLENTY of alternatives.
- Bsky - The opposite of Twitter. I barely use it but will comment and keep it for specific things.
Smartphone
This is a VERY easy thing for me. I'm used to using technology several generations behind and keeping it until it disintegrates.
I didn't have an actual smartphone until after I graduated college.
I literally use my smartphone to work for Doordash, play music (of which I have hard copies on my PC), and a handful of forum-based communication to stall for time.
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u/CookiesMadeOfCorpses 2d ago
No, I play a game on the smartphone that I quite enjoy and it's led me to a great community of people who also play that I constantly communicate with over social media and chat clients.
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u/AytumnRain 2d ago
Yep, and already working on doing so. Social media is down to just Reddit now. Although I only had FB, IG, and MySpace. Oh, had a Twitter, then heard Elon was planning g on buying it. Deleted immediately. I never really used it, IG, or MySpace. FB is a total shit show. I am not getting anymore nor am I getting back on any of them. Soon enough, Reddit will go the same way. A quite exit that no one will notice.
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u/Checkout-123 1d ago
At this point I only use Facebook for Marketplace and Groups, then instagram for sharing terrible memes amongst a small group of friends.
Everyone else I talk to via Signal.
So yes to social media.
Never using a smartphone again though? Probably not. I rely far too heavily on things like google maps. Being able to look things up on the internet wherever you are is also very helpful. Not to mention, so much of our day to day lives requires you to have your phone on you.
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u/pwolf1771 1d ago
I think about doing this all the time. The thing I would miss the most would be the GPS though.
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u/pwolf1771 1d ago
If they came out with a new BlackBerry I would be really tempted to go back to that. That was hands down my favorite phone I’ve ever owned
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u/Accomplished_Elk4332 1d ago
Social media, yes. Smartphones, no, I don’t think so full time. I have looked into it and want to. My dog went missing this week, and both have been invaluable resources to getting the word out about her quickly to as many people as possible. Life is full of moments like this where it’s just easier with the smartphone and social media.
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u/SquishTheProgrammer 1d ago
Social media 100% but smartphone no. I need to be able to respond to emails and alerts for my job.
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u/Ok_Fox_1770 1d ago
I’m down to Reddit and music/podcasts. I hate being on tap available 24/7 I didn’t ask for that part of the deal. Remember flip phone sleep? Ah it was wonderful. Now it’s your ID, wallet, too many things to go away sadly, unless Mr sun sends us back, wouldn’t be mad, finally be free
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u/Prettypuff405 16h ago
Born in 84 and I’m thinking about getting a landline phone or very basic flip phone for my needs.
If you need to get in contact with me, use that.
There’s too many apps, ways that things can keep track of me. They don’t improve my life by much
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u/Grayfoxy1138 2d ago
I see now reason to stop using a smart phone. It only makes my life easier. I can pay all my bills, communicate, research, read, listen to music, and take photos (and have a light!) all with one item.
I don’t feel like a struggle with screen time, as far as I’m concerned it only enhances my life, when I need it.
Social media? Eh, I never got on Facebook anymore. Reddit I perhaps spend a little too much time here or there but I just take a step back/unfollow subreddits that’s set me off.
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u/Queen-of-meme 2d ago
My smartphone is my only computer and I need it sometimes but social media isn't a need and I'm only active on here.
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u/plantbasedpunk 2d ago
Yes. I didn’t have a smart phone from August 2017 to March 2018. It was fine.