Gen Z Drives Resurgence of 1990s Analog Technology

Generation Z is reviving 1990s analog technology, including VHS tapes, CD players, and Game Boys [1, 2].

This shift represents a broader cultural movement toward "digital detoxing." As the first generation to grow up entirely in the era of smartphones and constant connectivity, Gen Z is increasingly seeking ways to disconnect from the persistent stream of online notifications.

The resurgence includes a variety of legacy hardware. Users are returning to disposable cameras for photography and reinstating landlines in their homes [1, 2]. This trend is not merely about aesthetics but is driven by a desire for tactile experiences that digital files cannot replicate ^[3].

Analog media offers a physical interaction that streaming services lack. A CD player requires a physical disc, and a VHS tape requires manual insertion into a player—actions that provide a sensory connection to the media being consumed [1, 2].

This movement is characterized as a reaction to the saturation of the modern digital landscape ^[3]. By adopting technology from the 1990s, young users are creating a boundary between their professional digital lives and their personal leisure time.

While these devices were once discarded as obsolete, they are now viewed as tools for mindfulness. The intentionality required to use a Game Boy or a disposable camera contrasts with the instant gratification of modern apps [1, 3].