The smartphone is still everywhere, but some Americans are quietly changing how they use it as screen fatigue becomes harder to ignore.
1. Leaving the Phone in Another Room
More people are creating physical distance from their phones instead of relying on willpower. A September 2026 Pew Research Center survey found that just over half of U.S. adults say they spend too much time on their smartphones, with the concern especially widespread among adults under 50.
2. Turning Off More Notifications
Notifications are becoming something people actively manage rather than simply tolerate. Apple’s iPhone usage tools and Android’s Digital Wellbeing both let users review notification and screen-time patterns, while Pew found that about half of Americans now say they spend too much time on their phones.
3. Using Do Not Disturb More Often
The phone doesn’t have to be switched off to become less distracting. Apple’s Focus features and Android’s modes allow users to silence selected apps and contacts, turning the smartphone into something closer to a basic phone during certain parts of the day.
4. Checking Social Media Less
The biggest target isn’t necessarily the phone itself—it’s often the endless scrolling. Pew’s 2026 findings show that younger adults are particularly likely to say they spend too much time on smartphones, suggesting that awareness of screen habits is becoming a broader lifestyle issue.
5. Reaching for Cameras Again
Some consumers are separating photography from their phones. Circana reported that point-and-shoot digital cameras and other nostalgic tech are benefiting from renewed consumer interest in 2026, as people look for more deliberate ways to capture photos.
6. Buying Analog Entertainment
Physical media is also benefiting from the same desire to get away from screens. RIAA data shows U.S. CD sales jumped 45.7% in the first half of 2026, while vinyl remained a major physical-media category.
7. Picking Up Offline Hobbies
The smartphone backlash is showing up in what people do with their free time. Michaels reported analog-hobby searches up 136% in six months, while 71% of Gen Z and Millennials surveyed expressed interest in joining a craft club.
Sources:
- Pew Research Center, September 2026 smartphone-use survey
- Circana, 2026 consumer and nostalgia trends
- RIAA, 2026 mid-year music revenue report
- Michaels, 2026 Trends Report
