Adults and teenagers worried about their screen time are trading in their smartphones for "dumber" models, the so-called dumbphones, reports BBC.

Hidden within the settings of many smartphones is the option to see how much time you spend on your phone daily, on average.

This can bring an uncomfortable revelation—that what was meant to be just a useful technological tool has become an unhealthy obsession.

"Social networks are built around the concept of FOMO (the fear of missing out), so I felt like I couldn't escape it", said 16-year-old Luke Martin from Canada to the BBC. "And since I got on Instagram, I instantly fell into a downward spiral".

Luke is not alone. According to a Harvard University study, using social media sites lights up the same part of the brain that is triggered when consuming an addictive substance. This has raised concerns about phone usage habits among young people.

In the UK, Ofcom research estimates that about a quarter of children aged 5 to 7 now have their own smartphones. Some studies have shown links between social media use and a negative impact on mental health—especially in children.

"I don’t think starting with a smartphone is the best idea"

Some activists want age limits introduced for smartphone use. Others, like Luke, choose to switch their smartphones for much simpler devices, the so-called "dumbphones".

His new phone only has options for text messages, calls, maps and a few other limited tools. "I think I used to spend 4-5 hours a day on my phone with friends, that's how much time I wasted before I got this phone", he said.

"Now I only spend 20 minutes a day, which is great because I use it only for what I strictly need".

Parents are turning to old phones not only for their children, but also to help themselves be more present for their families.

Lizzy Broughton, who has a 5-year-old son, recently bought an old-style flip Nokia phone. "It helped me recalibrate my own habits, I have much more quality time with my son", she explained.

She says that when it’s time for her son to get his own phone, she will choose an equally old model.

"I don’t think starting with a smartphone is the best idea", she said. "It's like giving ourselves over to the world while we’re still trying to figure out how to handle it".

A phone with only basic functions, but it looks luxurious and modern

Sales of old phones have increased in North America. Specialty shop owners in Los Angeles, Daisy Krigbaum and Will Stults, cater to clients looking for low-tech devices.

"We have a lot of parents looking to get their child their first phone and they don't want the kids to get lost on the Internet", said Will Stults.

But giving up smartphones is easier said than done. Stults notes that some schools require students to have certain apps on their phones. And it's hard to keep up with the rest when kids see their friends getting expensive smartphones, said one mother.

One solution is a device called "unpluq", which you tap to your phone to wirelessly block certain apps, like social networks. "Parents can control the smartphone with this and also monitor usage", explained Stults.

Several phones have now been developed specifically for users who want to avoid addiction.

Chris Kaspar founded Techless to develop an "intentionally boring" yet stylish device that looks a lot like an iPhone. The latest version is called "Wisephone II".

"It has no icons, just words, two colors and two fonts". He describes it as "very, very calming".

"I definitely feel much better now"

It will have some limited third-party tools, like the Uber taxi app, but will not have social networks. "We ask ourselves this question—what is really good for us?", says Kaspar.

He first developed the phone with his adopted teenage daughters in mind and says 25% of sales are to children, but it is also marketed to adults.

"If you have a phone that's branded as a kids' device, there is a stigma associated with it. So we created a very adult, sophisticated, Apple-like device that’s very nice", he said.

With social media apps and advertisements generating billions of dollars, big companies have little incentive to encourage habits other than staying on your phone, he said.

Meanwhile, Canadian teenager Luke said that he plans to stick with his new "dumbphone", much to his friends' amusement.

"My friends think it’s pretty weird, but at this point, it doesn’t really matter what they say, because it has helped me a lot", says Luke. "I definitely feel much better now".