Think about the late 90s — 2012, and the web design that came with it. In Y2K , Frutiger Aero was everything ;  it was the layout for every web page. Green, blue, combining nature and sea life into modern day, a corporate haven — fruitier aero was seen as the norm. Now it has modern teens in its grip, aching for the nostalgia of their childhood.

As I was applying for the internship position at The Teen Magazine ,  I was inspired by one of the questions and it got me thinking, why are the teens so retro? More and more teens and young adults are shying away from modern life and embracing a retro lifestyle. For example, the indie blog site NeoCities — built for teens to embrace the fun of the old web and code their own blogs from scratch — has over 1,300,000 users.

Teens are often accused of having their brains in their phones, disconnected from the real world. Older generations often say “Back in my day,” unaware that most teens hold that information close to their hearts, knowing that the 80s really were better in a lot of ways. While women’s and LGBTQIA+ rights are wonderful to have nowadays, teens are aching for the Stranger Things vibes of the 80s and 90s, when malls were teen safe havens, when we weren’t constantly connected to each other via phone, when we played all day until our families tracked us down at 10 pm.

The Modern Craze

So, why are the teens so retro?

Because the modern day is….boring. Flat. Uncustomizable.

Gen Z is bonded by the heartbreak of FOMO, and they're doing something about it.

To quote the article Nostalgia marketing: how brands connect with Gen Z through Y2K by Patrecia Meliana

“One of the most fascinating trends is our embrace of “outdated” technology. The resurgence of flip phones, instant cameras, and vinyl records isn’t about technophobia — it’s about intentional boundaries. These single-purpose devices offer freedom from the endless notifications and multitasking of smartphones, creating more mindful, present experiences.”

Teens, myself included, ache for the time when tech was useful and fun. it was a place (think computer rooms and entertainment centers), it was optional, had character, and freedom.

A psychiatrist.com article by Liz Neporent says

“Users say the advantages of a flip phone’s vintage functionality compared to the technical wizardry of today’s smartphones include: helping them escape the always-on anxiety that comes from instant (and constant) communication; ungluing them from their screens so they can more fully engage with what’s going on around them; disconnecting them from the toxic time suck of social media to help improve their relationships and overall quality of life. “

Image credit: Les Anderson from Unsplash

And it couldn’t be more true.

Teens are adopting disposable cameras to live in the moment, being able to snap group pics without worrying about a notification popping up and getting sidetracked.

They are throwing away their $800 phones for $80 flip phones that they bling up and decorate, happy to be free from the temptation of social media. Even the teens who didn’t use TikTok and Instagram in the first place feel more free by simply knowing it's no longer an option for them.

Not only are they adopting retro tech, but retro lifestyles and fashion styles too.

60s, 70s, and 80s fashion is all the rage because it reminds them of freedom, character, and individuality. Retro cars without all the pesky screens are being fawned over, while being boasted about being “paid off.” (paid off, practical, and no screens? Sign me up!)

Teens are waking up to what life full of tech really entails, and are throwing away everything that reminds them of it, and it couldn't be healthier.

Adopting retro tech, retro lifestyles, and authentic ways of life has a tremendous positive impact on mental health and the environment.

Image credit: Bert B from Unsplash

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Who Started It?

In How The Luddite Teens Of New York Changed My Perspective On Social Media, Natalie DeVille says

"The Luddite Club community is an NYC-based club of teenagers who reject social norms by “self-liberating” themselves from social media and phones. Their catchphrase is “Don’t be a phoney.” The original “Luddites” were a British workers movement named after, and possibly led by, Ned Ludd, a man whose existence is still questioned. There isn’t any evidence of his influence except for members of the movement claiming their orders came from “General Ludd.” Allegedly, Ludd started the movement by breaking textile machines during the rise of industrialization, which disrupted his purported trade skill of weaving, and the traditional merchant organization of English village life. Afraid of becoming obsolete, many more artisans joined in. Not only to protect their professions, but also to protect their traditional lives, which might be overturned through having to sell their labor to industrialists."

I think these Luddites are the perfect example of this Gen Z Revolution. "General Ludd" broke the textile machines that were stealing his passion, his way of life. These teens are breaking their phones that are stealing their individuality, and their connection to each other. Life is funny, everything is connected, things tie together, and these teens are determined to never let technology untangle us.

Long Distance Friends

The most common excuse to keep modern tech around is the same reason people want to get rid of it: relationships. Many people meet friends, mentors, and partners online. But we don't have to give these things up.

Long distant friendships can exist outside of tech, in pen pal letters, landline phones, and using your phone only for the purpose of talking to them. While there may be some resistance, many teens are leaning into letters and vintage means of connecting. On TikTok, many people are posting fact about themselves and looking for friends, in an effort to gain pen pals.

These long distance relationship are a very valid excuse to keep your phone as is, which brings us to our next topic.

"Dumb" Phones

"Dumb Phones" are Gen Z's new tech obessions....AKA non smart phones. These gadgets only work for communicating, and other basic "non smart phone" uses. No social media, no other apps. People are even fiddling with their Apple Iphone settings to create their own dumb phone, featuring a simple home screen with things like "Messages" and "calling."

People are also opting to carry around the things they need instead of using their phone as a "Catch All." on the reddit group "r/dumbphones," people post pictures of what they carry in lieu of a phone; including journals, wearing a watch, gameboys, and kindles for reading.

Dumb Phones are much cheaper than Iphones due to their simplicity, ranging from $40 - $300.

Final Thoughts

I love this slide back to the 90's and 80's. It's beneficial not only for mental health, but to connections and making new memories. Imagine looking back on your life in 20 years, do you want to remember scrolling on your phone, or meeting new people and making amazing friends? I think Gen Z bringing the past into the future is exactly what we all need, and they seem to be doing it best.