With AI advancement, constant overstimulation, and tech addiction, it often feels like we are hurtling toward an overly tech-based world. We now have devices to track our sleep, smart home security, and cars that resemble KITT from Knight Rider. Many of us are longing for the days when technology didn’t seep into every single aspect of our lives.

This overwhelming connectivity explains why people are gravitating toward a lower-tech lifestyle. But what does this movement actually entail, and is this trend going to stick around or fade away like crimped hair and pegged jeans?

Don’t get me wrong—I adore technology. I’m not about to give up the comforts I’ve become accustomed to, like GPS navigation. How did we even find anything back in the ‘90s? We had paper maps, but I honestly can’t remember how I managed to navigate to a friend’s house. Yet, for all the great things technology helps us accomplish, there are definite downsides. Too often, technology uses us instead of us using it.

To combat this, there is a massive uptick in the “dumbphone” transition. People are gravitating toward minimal devices like the Wisephone, or even buying classic Nokia bricks from the early 2000s. There are even home phone devices like Tin Can and Pinwheel that use VoIP (Voice over IP). These phones plug directly into your internet; they are super limited, don’t allow texting, and force you to actually talk to people from a fixed location.

We are also seeing a rise in specialized E-Ink devices. Notetaking tablets like the Kindle Scribe, Kindle Colorsoft, Remarkable, and Supernote have grown incredibly popular. While they can be expensive, they offer a distraction-free, analog-like experience that is much easier on the eyes than an iPad.

This shift is even hitting the toy aisle. It used to be that the more buttons, bells, and whistles a toy had, the better. Now, parents are stepping away from that, opting for old-school wooden blocks and screen-free toys that encourage imagination without the digital noise.

Why is this happening? A lot of it comes down to mental health. Countless reports highlight the negative psychological impacts of technology and social media, especially on kids and teenagers. There are also physical concerns, like the effects of blue light on our vision. Furthermore, people are experiencing AI fatigue. We are getting tired of looking at photos and having to guess what is real and what is fake. People want a simpler time when a photo was just a definitive snapshot of reality.

Interestingly, being offline has shifted from being viewed as “outdated” to becoming a status symbol for mental wellness. Instead of bragging about having the latest and greatest gadget, people now boast about how little they use their phones or watch TV.

Ultimately, we are craving tactile experiences. In a world of pixels, we want texture. It’s a concept called sensory grounding. You’ve probably heard the phrase “go touch grass.” It resonates because people want to get outside and experience the physical world rather than staring at the smooth, passive glass of a smartphone screen. Algorithms feed us what they want us to see, whereas low-tech options force us to be active participants in our own entertainment.

How do we achieve a healthier balance without fully living off the grid? The key is intentionality and embracing single-use devices.

Back in the day, we had a phone, a pager, an iPod, and a camera. Now, everything is consolidated into one device, making it incredibly easy to overuse. Separating your utilities can break that cycle:

Another great strategy is practicing an analog morning and evening routine. For the first 30 minutes after you wake up and the last 30 minutes before bed, turn off all screens. Read a physical book or meditate to give your day a gentler wind-up and wind-down period.

Do I think these low-tech products will still be around in two to five years? Honestly, devices like the Tin Can home phone probably won’t last. There is a reason we got rid of landlines—they aren’t convenient. If a child goes to soccer practice, they can’t take a home phone with them.

While the nostalgia factor is fun and kitschy right now, it will likely wear off. It’s similar to MapQuest; I am never going to go back to printing out paper directions. The technology we have now is objectively better, which is why we abandoned the old ways.

However, the desire for digital boundaries isn’t going anywhere. While everything from our stoves to our water bottles is becoming part of the “Internet of Things,” the urge to disconnect will only grow. Sometimes, we just need to leave our phones at home, step outside, and touch some grass.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below! As always, I’m here to translate the tech so you can go live the life you want. Powering down until next time on Family Tech!

Online spaces for kids like Animal Jam and Club Penguin have disappeared. Has this been a benefit or a hindrance to our kids’ social development? How can we give our kids the same types of experiences while keeping them safe online?

Since the internet’s inception, our search habits and the engines we use have evolved significantly. While early users remember the days of AOL and Yahoo, Google has become the primary tool for most. However, even Google has undergone massive changes in how it delivers information, necessitating a shift in how we approach our queries.

Originally, we searched for specific keywords because search results were less vast than they are today. Over time, this shifted to phrases (e.g., “best water bottle”) and eventually to full sentences. With the rise of AI search, queries have become even more specific, such as “What is the best water bottle to use while on a hike?” This progression reflects our need for increasingly specific answers as the volume of online content continues to grow.

The structure of search results has also transformed. Initially, Google provided a list of websites ranked by SEO (Search Engine Optimization), where landing on the first page was the ultimate goal for creators. This was followed by the “pay-to-play” model, where ads were placed at the top of the results.

Today, the search engine results page (SERP) is multi-layered. You often encounter AI-generated answers first, followed by social media results, videos, and ads before reaching the traditional list of websites. Because the actual search results are pushed so far down, many users find their answers or click away before ever reaching them.

To bypass the clutter, you can use specialized tools like Google Lens. This is particularly effective for identifying products, plants, or birds simply by snapping a photo. Google Lens also includes tabs for translating foreign menus or solving math problems. Similarly, Google’s audio search allows you to identify songs playing in your environment—or even identify an actor’s face while watching a movie—linking you directly to databases like IMDb.

Google’s top-level tabs are often overlooked but offer powerful ways to filter information:

While AI results appear at the top of most searches, it is vital to remember that AI can “hallucinate” or provide inaccurate information. Always vet AI-generated answers by clicking the included links. You may find that the source material contains nuances or contradictions that the AI missed. If you need accurate, high-stakes information, treat the AI summary as a starting point rather than a definitive answer.

For authentic, human-led information, adding “Reddit” to your Google search or searching directly within Reddit is highly effective. It allows you to see pros and cons discussed by real users.

Additionally, YouTube is the second-largest search engine in the world. It is the premier destination for “how-to” content—such as changing a tire or an air filter—and product comparison videos that break down features in a visual format.

Be wary of “SEO hacking,” where illegitimate websites manipulate the algorithm to appear at the top of results. This is common in two specific areas:

Similarly, be cautious with sensitive data like banking routing numbers. Rather than trusting the snippet that pops up on a search page, take the extra step to click through to your bank’s official website to ensure the information hasn’t been tampered with or misidentified. By being specific and staying vigilant, you can navigate the modern search landscape more safely and efficiently.

The landscape of online scams has drastically changed, with email scam tactics becoming increasingly sophisticated. This video explores how artificial intelligence is now being used to create highly convincing scams, making scam awareness more crucial than ever. We dive into the evolution of these threats and offer cyber security insights to help you identify and avoid a deceptive phishing email, especially those powered by AI.

The cost of consumer electronics is on the rise, and it’s not just inflation. This video explains why your favorite gadgets are getting more expensive and offers practical money tips to help you save. Learn about frugal living and effective cost-cutting strategies to manage your spending in the tech industry. 💸

Ever wondered if being a YouTuber is a real job? This video dives into why so many kids aspire to youtube as a career, despite adult skepticism. We’ll explore how to help your child earn money online through platforms like YouTube, and the allure of successful content creators. Learn about the potential for kids as they learn how to grow a youtube channel and the practicalities of starting youtube channel.📱✨

Have you encountered videos online that seemed a bit off? This episode tackles the widespread issue of fake videos, especially those created through “deepfake” technology and “ai manipulation.” We’ll show you how to spot these deceptive clips and discuss the motivations behind their creation, helping you improve your “media literacy.” Learn essential “digital safety” tips to protect yourself from “online scams” and “social engineering” tactics prevalent on social media.