Why is Generation Z turning to analog tools and technologies?

According to a CNBC report, when the first iPhone was introduced to the world, he was only nine years old and recalls spending his formative years “under an endless bombardment of technology.” In recent years, Glorfield discovered a shared tendency among himself and his friends: occasionally, they had to temporarily delete social media apps to escape screen domination. He describes this state: “For hours, my eyes were glued to my screen; literally stuck to my phone, interacting with fans and friends, and this constant engagement deeply strained and dissatisfied my spirit.”

This thirst to break free from digital ties and the realization that he was not the only voice tired of technology’s clamor sparked the idea of Kickback—a brand aiming to capture Generation Z’s heart by reviving retro technologies.

This New York-based company offers a treasure trove of CD and record players, analog cameras, speakers, and cassette players. Glorfield explains enthusiastically: “Our greatest success has come with products whose main goal is to encourage people to step away from the digital world. This pure, unique experience is one that our generation has never truly savored.”

The reality is that today’s youth are more than ever seeking distance from the dominance of technology. In the “Future of Wellness 2025” report by the Global Wellness Summit, the fascination with retro and analog technologies was highlighted as one of the dominant trends of 2025.

This trend has led Generation Z and Millennials to turn to tools long replaced by smartphones. Beth McGroarty, Director of Research at the Global Wellness Institute, notes that this inclination may stem less from nostalgia and more from a deep human desire for tactile and real experiences.

She explains: “Studies show humans are inherently programmed from birth to touch and feel. I think this is a form of rebellion against the shapeless, intangible, consumer-driven digital world; it reflects a deep longing for physical tools and objects that can be touched.”

McGroarty points out that as music, communication, entertainment, and work are consolidated into a single device that people stare at all day, young generations increasingly seek to escape the endless, lifeless flood of information. She warns: “When we look at the amount of time Generation Z has spent in front of screens, it’s almost equivalent to a full lifetime.”

Since Kickback’s launch last year, the brand has generated over $500,000 in revenue. Glorfield believes the startup’s remarkable success stems from Generation Z’s strong desire to resist the hyper-integrated digital world they grew up in, and the solution lies in returning to simple, single-purpose tools. He says: “There’s a truly pleasant, calming feeling in walking around with a camera, with your only concern being taking photos—without the temptation to dive into your phone or check work emails.”

Adam Forrest, director of the retro technology website Retrospekt, notes that while advanced devices have made life easier, they have also created a world that is perfect but soulless and sterile. Forrest, who sells Polaroid cameras, Game Boys, and typewriters on his site, explains: “I believe lived experiences are critically important to people. The easier life becomes, the more valuable and meaningful the experience grows—even if sometimes it is uncomfortable or challenging.”

Retrospekt earns $8 million in annual sales, with most customers aged 13 to 39. Forrest believes that while technological advances have undoubtedly improved the world in many ways, fully focusing life online and being entirely dependent on a single device is not one of them. He adds: “When humans deprive themselves of the ability to touch and interact with objects like cameras and record players, they are, in fact, going against their human nature.” He concludes: “Owning a physical object provides a highly meaningful, unique feeling—one we’re not ready to give up. The further these objects move from our reach, the higher their value.”

Source: Donya-e-Eqtesad.