When was the last time you went out for the day and completely disconnected from your online presence?

When was the last time you were uninterrupted by Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and other social network notifications buzzing in your pocket?

This mental freedom will no longer be available at the end of this year with the discontinuation of mobile networks that support classic non-smartphone device styles.

As of December 2020, the last remaining 3G networks will be completely shut off. 2G networks have already been discontinued for network providers across the board. The loss of 2G and 3G networks means the loss of many well loved cell phones that allow a separation between you and every irrelevant Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat notification.

Obviously smartphones can be useful, but they should not be the only option. The advancement of technology is a great benefit to society, but having a never ending stream of notifications in your pocket is not. Smartphones are a mind-numbing, constantly present source of dopamine that should not be the only choice when it comes to phones. Not to mention, smartphones are constantly advancing into even more expensive models with more fancy and unnecessary bells and whistles. Flip phones and keyboard phones should still be available and accessible to those who would rather disconnect from social media and not be so enthralled with their online presence while still having the basic functions of a phone.

A 2018 study from Harvard University on the relation between dopamine and smartphones shows a link between smartphone usage and increased anxiety and depression, as well as sleep difficulties, due to the over-accessibility of dopamine.

"Smartphones have provided us with a virtually unlimited supply of social stimuli, both positive and negative. Every notification, whether it’s a text message, a “like” on Instagram, or a Facebook notification, has the potential to be a positive social stimulus and dopamine influx". Further, social media, which a large majority of people use their smartphones to access, is often attributed to mental health and body image issues.

Simply turning off notifications or limiting time is not enough, because the distraction is always there, can be easily accessed, and is ultimately unnecessary. We don't need to know what everyone we have ever met is doing today. We don't need to be continuously available. We don't need a million notifications overloading our brains. We need the capacity to be bored, to be disconnected, and to let our minds rest.

I personally can attest that owning a smartphone negatively impacts my mental health. I struggle with severe anxiety and dissociation. Having a smartphone allows me to disconnect further from reality and further avoid the negative feelings I am experiencing but need to process. Turning off notifications is not enough for me. I want the option to have a classic, old style phone that makes it impossible to access social media or other mind-numbing apps for my own sense of wellbeing and mental state.

This constant distraction available at your fingertips makes it easy to take the mind out of reality, evade problems, and ultimately fill up time doing mindless scrolling on social networks that could be sent doing more productive and mentally healthy behaviors. Enjoying our personal time without being overwhelmed with distractions and pointless notifications. Doing things we were meant to do. Not watching a billion ads on Facebook, not comparing ourselves to others on Instagram, not checking up on everything our 2000 Facebook friends are up to. 

Social media has its purpose, but it does not need to be so actively accessible. By no means should smartphones cease to exist, but other phone options should remain available for those who choose to use them. We have laptops at home, we can stay connected and experience social media and updates we need without needing that information at-the-ready all times of day. We need the freedom to experience life without tethering ourselves to social networks. We need the freedom to disconnect.