Imagine a world where teens actively choose to ditch their smartphones for flip phones. Sounds like a throwback, right? Well, that’s exactly what members of the Luddite Club have been doing—and they’re still going strong.

Born three years ago in Brooklyn, the Luddite Club was created to push back against the overwhelming grip of social media on young people. Now, many of its founding members, now in college, are not only sticking to their tech-simple ways but also spreading the message to new recruits.

Take Biruk Watling, a sophomore at Temple University in Philadelphia. On a chilly afternoon, she taped fliers around campus inviting students to join her cause. Her pitch? “We’re for human connection,” she explained to a curious passerby, proudly holding up her flip phone.

For Biruk and others, the club isn’t just about avoiding likes and notifications—it’s about reclaiming a life focused on real-world interactions. “This has been the most freeing experience of my life,” she shared.

But life as a college student hasn’t made it easy. From QR codes to dating apps, modern campus life is steeped in technology. Still, Biruk and her fellow Luddites remain committed, proving that breaking free from social media’s hold is possible—and even inspiring.

As social media continues to dominate, the Luddite Club’s message feels more relevant than ever. Could this be the start of a tech-simple movement? Only time will tell.