Using dumb phones and ditching social media sound like separate issues to me. I don’t use Facebook, Instagram, or similar type of traditional social media sites. I’ve tried some, but it’s a net negative for me. I’d prefer to do other things with my time.
However, I have no interest in switching to a “dumb” phone. Owning a smart phone is essential to me. Without a smart phone I could not do my job, my quality of life would be worse, and I’d have a financial loss. Smart phones serve many important benefits for me besides just being a means to use social media apps. Some examples are below. I could list dozens more.
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I work from home. My employer requires use of smartphone to remotely login to work network via multi-factor authentication on phone.
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When I am away from home or when laptop has issue, I use phone to attend work meetings noted above. My phone serves as a backup for my computer in other situations as well.
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One of my brokerages requires thumbprint on phone to login to brokerage account – both to make trades and to review. Without access to this brokerage, I’d earn several thousand less per year due to special promotions. My funds would also be less secure.
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Many of my hearing aid controls require a smartphone.
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With the hearing loss noted above, I find live captioning on phone to be helpful in numerous situations. I may use live captioning for phone calls, work meetings, etc.
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I average 8-9 miles walked per day, a good portion of it while listing to podcasts or audiobooks. I play the podcast/audiobook on my smartphone, then broadcast to hearing aid. This is hours of smartphone use most days, which usually makes the experience more pleasant. I’d make similar comments for long drives.
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The walking noted above also includes hiking in locations where being able to view a map on my smartphone has been essential numerous times.
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Using driving directions on phone is also essential for me, and can be a big time saver, including things like changing route depending on traffic. Writing down routes or using paper maps is not an adequate substitute.
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My smartphones has numerous other apps that have been critical for me at times including Uber/Lyft when I am stuck and need a ride, flashlight (ended up outside after civil twilight during most recent full day hike), wifi/bluetooth scan (has saved me hundreds of $ including finding lost hearing aid in woods), operating/fixing different other smart type products (often made by Google), etc.
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Cash savings with in store apps (often grocery/food/restaurant), again saving thousands over lifetime