For 14-year-old Ben Cohen-Vigder, misplacing his smartphone on the school bus last February turned out to be a fortuitous event.
“After being without my phone for about two days, I realized just how much longer and fuller my days felt,” Ben shared.
It was such a positive experience that the 8th grade lacrosse goalie made the bold decision to switch to a flip phone, allowing him to communicate without the myriad of smart features — and distractions.
A growing number of specialists are highlighting concerns about rising screen time and its impact on children and teenagers. In a 2023 advisory regarding social media usage and mental health, former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy recommended establishing “tech-free zones” and urged children to “nurture in-person friendships.” Additionally, multiple states have begun implementing measures to ban cellphones in schools.
Transitioning from smartphones to flip phones
Ben noted that he previously averaged up to five hours of screen time daily. After switching to a flip phone, his usage dropped to approximately 30 minutes. Consequently, CBS News invited four of Ben’s friends—Carson, Ranita, Jamison, and Maya—who are all 8th graders in New Jersey, to experiment with flip phones for a week. At the week’s start, Maya’s screen time exceeded 10 hours, mainly spent on TV and TikTok.
The group was intrigued but doubtful about the trial. Jamison expressed that he wasn’t performing as well academically as he hoped and believed his phone usage might be a significant contributor. Despite Ranita participating in three sports, she confessed to losing track of time on her phone, often scrolling for what should have been 30 minutes that extended to an hour. Carson agreed to join but felt anxious due to his love for basketball. Maya, who enjoys English and recently took up rowing, hoped the experience would improve her sleep quality.
When CBS News met with the teens to exchange their iPhones and iPads for flip phones, their reactions ranged from laughter to confusion. They gathered around the kitchen table with Ben, learning to navigate these unfamiliar devices, including how to text without a “modern” keyboard.
They were given the directive to immerse themselves in the experiment without resorting to friends’ or parents’ phones for assistance — while promising to return to their smart devices after a week.
Carson couldn’t last and requested his phone back within 24 hours, claiming he found himself staring at the wall until basketball practice. The others remained committed, sharing mostly positive updates through video diaries recorded on their parents’ phones throughout the week.
“I’ve noticed I’m sleeping much better, feeling less fatigued during the day,” Maya reported.
Jamison mentioned it helped him complete his homework more efficiently. Ranita conveyed some frustration at being unable to access her digital wallet and the conveniences afforded by her smartphone.
Screen time linked to anxiety and depression in teens
Experts’ worries regarding rising screen time are based on evidence. Over half of American teenagers aged 12 to 18 reported four or more hours of daily screen time during a period spanning July 2021 to December 2023. Nearly 23% engaged in three hours of screen time, 17.8% in two hours, 6.1% in one hour, and only 3% logged less than one hour, according to a report from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics.
Those teens updating their screens for four or more hours daily were found to be more prone to anxiety and depression, the report indicated.
Experiencing life beyond screens
After a week, the experiment concluded. The teens noticed changes — and so did their parents.
“I interacted more with my parents, and I went out with friends more often,” Jamison remarked.
Jamison’s mom, Amy Lita, mentioned that her son returned to his smartphone to find hundreds of messages from group chats, but he perceived them as irrelevant and felt he hadn’t missed anything.
Maya learned the significance of engaging with life beyond screens. Her mother, Lani Padilla, hopes this experience will encourage them to adopt new habits moving forward.
“I hope it plants a seed for her to approach her smartphone usage with greater thoughtfulness — and for me as well,” Padilla stated.
Next month marks a full year for Ben with his flip phone. While his friends may not join him permanently, he believes that change is always possible — and it doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing approach.
“It doesn’t need to be as drastic as eliminating all social media. I maintain an Instagram account for my computer, but the focus is on making small, manageable changes to alleviate that constant desire for connection,” Ben explained.
Ben’s mother, Jenn Cohen-Vigder, hopes that more parents will take heed of these insights.
“If people listen closely to what the kids are saying and reflect on their children’s phone usage, it could prompt a reevaluation. This is an issue that requires attention,” she emphasized.
