ON
← Back to feed
Some Gen Zers swap smartphones for "dumb" phones in a bid to unplug
United States🏛️ PoliticsLean Conservative15 days ago

Some Gen Zers swap smartphones for "dumb" phones in a bid to unplug

A growing number of young Americans, particularly members of Generation Z, are choosing to replace their smartphones with 'dumb phones', basic devices that lack internet connectivity and social media access, in an attempt to reduce their dependence on digital platforms. This trend is driven by concerns over the negative impact of social media on mental health, as well as a desire to disconnect from constant online engagement. According to Pew Research Center data from 2025, approximately half of U.S. adults used social media daily, while teens spent nearly five hours per day on these platforms, according to the American Psychological Association. Companies like Dumb.co offer modernized versions of flip phones equipped with essential apps but no social media capabilities. Dr. Jason Nagata, a researcher at the University of California, San Francisco, has compared excessive social media use to substance addiction, noting that some individuals experience benefits from limiting their exposure.

A North Carolina man has been charged with assaulting a woman on a sidewalk and then posting video of the incident on social media. Di-Quan Schafar Hunt, 32, was arrested by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department on Thursday after officers viewed a social media account containing videos under investigation. The footage reportedly shows Hunt punching a white woman on a sidewalk in Charlotte, then chasing her while yelling racial slurs and referencing McDonald's and Donald Trump. The victim fled for her life and was taken to a local hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Hunt was later transported to a medical facility for treatment, though police did not specify the nature of his condition. Upon his release, he will be jailed and charged with assault with a deadly weapon. The incident occurred on July 30, when the woman was allegedly attacked in the 400 block of East Boulevard in the Providence Division of Charlotte. Detectives had already been investigating the assault before the video surfaced on social media. According to police, Hunt had previously been arrested at least nine times since 2023. His most recent arrest record, dated December 2025, listed charges including assault with a deadly weapon, communicating threats, second-degree trespass, and two counts of carrying a concealed weapon. Other arrests included a September 2025 simple-assault charge and a March 2025 charge of assault on a female. In 2024, Hunt faced charges related to alleged violations of a domestic-violence protective order, breaking or entering, and injury to personal property. Additional videos posted to what is believed to be Hunt’s social media account suggest he may have targeted others. One video appeared to show a woman being chased until she took cover behind a vehicle, with a comment reading, “Ahhhh feels GOOD!!!” Another video showed the person filming confronting a woman before striking her and continuing to taunt her. It was unclear whether these clips were linked to the July 30 assault or if they represented separate incidents. Detectives were still determining if further charges would be filed based on the content of these videos. Hunt’s sister reportedly spoke to a reporter following the incident, stating that the family had received death threats after the video went viral. She mentioned that Hunt has suffered from mental illness for years and that the family had attempted to secure proper treatment for him. The situation highlights the broader issue of individuals with untreated mental health conditions committing violent acts, particularly in the context of social media, where such actions can gain widespread visibility. The case has drawn attention to the role of social media in amplifying and disseminating violent content. Hunt’s alleged act of recording and sharing the assault underscores the dangers associated with the ease of access to platforms that allow users to document and broadcast real-time events. This incident adds to a growing concern about the impact of social media on public safety and the potential for such platforms to normalize or encourage violent behavior. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and any possible links to other videos uploaded to Hunt’s account. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department urged anyone with information about incidents connected to the social media account or its videos to contact Crime Stoppers. As the case progresses, it remains to be seen whether additional charges will be filed or if further investigations will uncover more victims or evidence.

Go to the primary sources (5)

The official sources this coverage is built on. Read them directly to bypass framing.

4 reports

Breitbart News logoBreitbart NewsIndependentConservativeFactual 85Objective 6015 days ago
WATCH: North Carolina Man Charged with Punching Woman on Sidewalk And Posting It on Social Media

A 32-year-old Black man named Di-Quan Schafar Hunt was arrested by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department after posting a video online of himself allegedly assaulting a white woman on a sidewalk. The video, which includes Hunt shouting racial slurs and threatening to kill the woman, was shared by law enforcement after being identified through social media. Hunt has a history of arrests dating back to 2023, according to Fox News Digital. The victim suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was hospitalized. Hunt was taken to a medical facility following his arrest, though the reason for his treatment was not specified. Additional videos from Hunt's social media account suggest possible other incidents involving women, though it remains unclear if these are under investigation. The suspect's sister reportedly received death threats after the video went viral and claimed the family has struggled to secure mental health care for Hunt.

Bias read (Conservative): The article frames the incident through a lens that emphasizes racial tension and uses language suggesting systemic issues affecting Black individuals. While the event itself is a criminal act, the narrative leans into broader societal implications, particularly highlighting race and mental health,ซ

Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports the incident involving Di-Quan Schafar Hunt, including his arrest record and the nature of the alleged assault. It aligns with the information provided in the primary source document regarding the incident and its aftermath, though it does not cite the Pew Research dat

Why objectivity (60): The article maintains a somewhat sensational tone when describing the incident, emphasizing the violent nature of the act and the perpetrator's history. While it presents the facts, the emphasis on the criminal behavior and the potential implications may introduce bias in how the story is framed.

Fox News (US) logoFox News (US)IndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 6015 days ago
Charlotte career criminal records himself punching woman in unprovoked attack, posting to social media: police

A 32-year-old man in Charlotte, North Carolina, named Di-Quan Schafar Hunt, was arrested after allegedly assaulting a woman and posting video of the incident on social media. According to police, the attack occurred on July 30 in the Providence Division and involved Hunt punching the woman on a sidewalk before fleeing. Hunt, who has a lengthy arrest record dating back to 2023, was identified through a social media account that contained multiple videos of alleged confrontations. The videos showed instances of chasing individuals, verbal taunts, and physical altercations. Hunt was taken to a hospital for treatment and will face charges of assault with a deadly weapon. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department stated their investigation is ongoing and they are seeking any information related to the social media account or associated incidents.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about a criminal incident without overtly promoting a specific ideological stance. It focuses on the legal actions and investigative process rather than taking a partisan position. While the content relates to law enforcement and criminal behavior, which can牵

Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports the incident involving Di-Quan Schafar Hunt, including his arrest record and the nature of the alleged assault. It aligns with the information provided in the primary source document regarding the incident and its aftermath, though it does not cite the Pew Research dat

Why objectivity (60): The article maintains a somewhat sensational tone when describing the incident, emphasizing the violent nature of the act and the perpetrator's history. While it presents the facts, the emphasis on the criminal behavior and the potential implications may introduce bias in how the story is framed.

Newsweek logoNewsweekIndependentCenterFactual 80Objective 6018 days ago
The Generational Tragedy of Perez Hilton

Perez Hilton, a well-known celebrity blogger, was seen in a state of severe distress during a live stream on TikTok, where he appeared to harm himself. Viewers who watched the incident made multiple emergency calls, prompting authorities to respond and take him to a local hospital. The event highlighted the evolving nature of social media, which has transformed from a platform for curated content to one that blurs the line between personal crises and public consumption. The incident raised concerns about how social media algorithms expose users to distressing content without requiring active seeking, potentially altering societal responses to human suffering.

Bias read (Center): The article discusses the impact of social media on public behavior and mental health, focusing on the broader societal implications rather than taking a stance on any political issue or figure. It presents the situation objectively, highlighting both the technological changes and the ethical dilemm

Why factuality (80): The article accurately describes the incident involving Perez Hilton and provides details about the event as reported by social media. It cites the outcome of the situation without contradicting the primary source document, though it does not reference any official statements or reports directly fro

Why objectivity (60): The article uses emotionally charged language to describe the incident, such as 'horrifying,' 'terrifying,' and 'human emergency.' This creates a strong narrative that frames the event as a significant societal issue, potentially influencing reader perception beyond the factual reporting.

CBS News (US) logoCBS News (US)IndependentCenterFactual 75Objective 6518 days ago
Some Gen Zers swap smartphones for "dumb" phones in a bid to unplug

A growing number of young Americans, particularly members of Generation Z, are choosing to replace their smartphones with 'dumb phones', basic devices that lack internet connectivity and social media access, in an attempt to reduce their dependence on digital platforms. This trend is driven by concerns over the negative impact of social media on mental health, as well as a desire to disconnect from constant online engagement. According to Pew Research Center data from 2025, approximately half of U.S. adults used social media daily, while teens spent nearly five hours per day on these platforms, according to the American Psychological Association. Companies like Dumb.co offer modernized versions of flip phones equipped with essential apps but no social media capabilities. Dr. Jason Nagata, a researcher at the University of California, San Francisco, has compared excessive social media use to substance addiction, noting that some individuals experience benefits from limiting their exposure.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced view of the issue, discussing both the motivations behind the shift to dumb phones and the potential risks associated with heavy social media use. It cites multiple sources, including academic institutions and research organizations, without showing clear bias toward,

Why factuality (75): The article references Pew Research data accurately, stating that half of U.S. adults visited social media platforms like YouTube and Facebook at least once a day. However, it does not provide direct quotes or detailed methodology from the primary source document, relying instead on secondary citati

Why objectivity (65): The tone suggests a narrative around young people seeking to disconnect from social media, implying a negative view of these platforms. While it presents facts neutrally, the focus on 'Gen Zers swapping smartphones' introduces a selective framing that emphasizes a trend rather than presenting a bala

How each side covered it

The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.

How each side covered it

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Covered around the world

The same event as reported in other countries.

Covered around the world

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Claims check

Key factual claims, and how many sources assert vs dispute each.

Claims check

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Keep the news honest.

ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.

Become a Supporter

Related stories