Young People Are Rediscovering Old Technology in a Digital Age Overload
By Max Kutner | The Wall Street Journal | October 6, 2025
In an era dominated by ever-more sophisticated smartphones and relentless connectivity, a surprising trend is emerging among younger generations. Teens and people in their twenties are increasingly turning away from the latest digital devices and embracing older, simpler technologies. This retro revival ranges from flip phones and CDs to point-and-shoot digital cameras.
A Reaction to Digital Saturation
Lucy Jackson, a college freshman in 2025, typifies this movement. She relies on a basic phone that handles little else beyond calls and, with some effort, texts. Although this complicates life in a hyper-connected world, Jackson accepts the inconvenience in exchange for feeling more in control. She uses paper maps to navigate and calls taxi companies directly rather than relying on ride-hailing apps. “The technology used to feel like a tool,” she says, “but now it often feels like it’s controlling me.”
This experience resonates with many young people who feel overwhelmed by constant notifications, social media pressures, and the addictive nature of modern smart devices. By returning to technology that lacks distracting apps and endless updates, they find a newfound sense of autonomy and mental clarity.
The Allure of Vintage Gadgets
Among the most prized rediscovered technologies is the point-and-shoot digital camera, which offers a tangible, deliberate photographic experience separate from the instant-sharing culture of smartphones. Similarly, CDs and vinyl records are making a comeback as music fans appreciate physical formats’ tactile qualities and collectible appeal.
Flip phones, once dismissed as relics, are now celebrated for their simplicity and durability. Users report better battery lives, freedom from social media distractions, and less anxiety about being constantly reachable.
A Broader Cultural Shift
This phenomenon signals a broader interest in steering back from hyper-digital lifestyles to more intentional and mindful interactions with technology. While the latest devices remain prevalent, many young consumers are choosing to balance their tech use with old-school gadgets that foster focus, creativity, and real-world engagement.
Industry experts note that manufacturers are responding by producing “feature phones” and analog-inspired devices that blend retro appeal with modern capabilities. Meanwhile, secondhand markets for vintage electronics are flourishing as nostalgia and practicality drive demand.
Looking Ahead
As digital fatigue grows, the popularity of old technology among youth is more than a passing fad — it represents a critical reassessment of how technology should serve people, not the other way around. For individuals like Lucy Jackson, embracing older gadgets is a way to reclaim control, reduce stress, and reconnect with the physical world amidst the digital noise.
This article is based on the report "Young People Are Falling in Love With Old Technology" by Max Kutner in The Wall Street Journal. For full access to the article and related content, a subscription to WSJ is required.
