We’ve officially hit the halfway mark of Winter. The heaters are cranked, the blankets are on the couch full-time, and the scroll hole is deeper than ever. Blame it on the cold. The darker days. The fact that leaving the house now requires six layers and the courage of a Game of Thrones character. Whatever the reason, our screen time spikes in Winter – and with it, so do our levels of stress and Winter blues.
For Australia’s nearly 21 million social media users, the combo of cold weather, more time indoors, and a natural dip in energy can lead to what the internet lovingly calls doom scrolling. And, while it might feel oddly comforting to scroll through reels of aesthetic fireplaces and pasta recipes you’ll never make, there’s a sneaky side effect: it’s making us feel worse. A lot worse.
In fact, new research from Human Mobile Devices (HMD) – the Aussie fan-favourite in good old-fashioned feature phones – has found that we’re starting to wake up to the mental toll of our always-online lives. Almost one-third of Aussies say doom scrolling is negatively impacting their mental health. A whopping 29% feel overwhelmed by the pressure to always be “on”, and 1 in 4 feel anxious from constant notifications.
So what’s the fix? Less time online, of course. But when your phone doubles as your alarm clock, diary, camera, and crisis hotline, logging off isn’t exactly easy. That’s why more and more people are turning to what’s being dubbed the ‘dumb phone’ movement – swapping out their smartphones for pared-back devices that take things back to basics.
Phones like the HMD 2660 Flip or the sleek HMD 110 offer simple, no-nonsense functionality without social media apps or endless notifications demanding your attention. They might look like something out of Y2K, but that’s part of their charm – especially for Gen Zs and millennials craving a break from the pressures of being constantly connected.
Not ready to give up your smartphone completely? You’re not alone. Some modern devices, like the HMD Skyline, come with built-in digital detox features that help you set boundaries on screen time. Whether it’s scheduling app-free hours or customizing who can reach you, these tools make it easier to take control without going cold turkey. Because sometimes, the best tech move is knowing when to switch off.
So, if the Winter blues are starting to bite, and your thumbs are sore from scrolling, maybe it’s time to switch off – or at least dial down. Whether you’re going full flip phone or trying a soft detox with the Skyline, a little less screen time might be exactly what your brain (and mood) needs.
Winter’s not over yet, but a less anxious season can start with just one phone call. And no, it’s not a FaceTime.