I must confess that I’m a self-indulgent millennial who plans to blog about her social experiment using a dumbphone. (As a proper social scientist, I will define dumbphone in my next post.) I figured that documenting my experience disconnecting from my smartphone may be helpful to those considering quitting distracting technologies. At least, my accounts of failing at modern life might provide some lolz.

When I announced on Facebook that I’m switching to a dumbphone, I got a lot of positive feedback. But one friend commented, “You’re a neo-luddite!” At first glance, this comment seems so apt since I research science and technology policy. But it would be unfair to characterize me as Ned Ludd. For one, I have not (yet) smashed my iPhone in a fit of rage. But more importantly, I recognize that science and technology have vastly improved our well-being. More concretely, smartphones have enabled doctors to diagnose diseases and track patients’ health.

Nevertheless, I recognize that technology can produce harmful social and political consequences. My research investigates potential policies that can mitigate these harmful consequences. In contrast, this blog documents my personal account of trying — and perhaps failing — to use technology responsibly.