Not very sustainable: Swiss teenagers replace cell phone after two years

Cell phones have become an integral part of most young people's lives - 99% of 12 to 19-year-olds in Switzerland own one. On average, they replace their cell phone after just under two years. This period is even shorter for younger teenagers than for older ones. This is shown in the latest JAMESfocus report by the ZHAW Media Psychology department and Swisscom, which looks at the sustainability of cell phone use. "Mobile phone manufacturers bring a new model onto the market every two years or so and subscription contracts often expire after two years. The desire for an up-to-date model then tempts young people to replace their cell phone, even if the older device still works perfectly," says ZHAW media psychologist Daniel Süss. As there is hardly any awareness of sustainable use, it is estimated that half a million unused cell phones lie in the drawers of young people in German-speaking Switzerland.

It should be a newer model

Around half of young people in Switzerland buy a new cell phone even though their old one is still working. When deciding to buy a new cell phone, the main reason is the desire for a newer or better model (58%). For 40% of young people, an expiring subscription contract leads to a new device being purchased at a reduced price at the same time as the new subscription. This is particularly the case for older age groups. On the other hand, 12 to 15-year-olds are more likely to receive a new device as a gift. Overall, 28% of 12 to 19-year-olds receive it as a gift. In around half of cases, a new device is bought because the old cell phone is broken. This can often no longer be repaired (37%). "You can prevent damage with a protective cover or a protective film for the screen and thus extend the life of the phone. The longer a device is used, the more sustainable it is," advises ZHAW media psychologist Daniel Süss. On the other hand, some young people do not want to have it repaired (27%) and opt for a new device instead.

Technology, price and brand are important

For the majority of young people (70%), technical features are the most important factor when buying a cell phone. However, the price (65%), the brand (54%) and the design (49%) are also decisive criteria. There is also a difference between the sexes here: boys place more value on technical details such as battery life. For girls, on the other hand, the price plays a greater role. Whether there are repair options or which brand of device their friends use is not relevant for most young people. There are hardly any age differences.

Half a million unused cell phones

Once a new cell phone has been purchased, more than half of the young people surveyed (54%) put their old model in a drawer and no longer use it. However, one in four gives the old cell phone to someone else. Professional disposal at a drop-off point or simply in the household waste is rarely the case. On average, every young person hoards 1.3 old cell phones at home. This means that there are almost 500,000 unused cell phones in the homes of young people in German-speaking Switzerland. Michael In Albon, youth media protection officer at Swisscom, ventures an explanation: "One possible reason could be the data on the cell phones. Perhaps young people don't want to delete their photos, music and chat histories forever and so keep their data with them." In total, more than 17 tons of metals and over 38 tons of plastics lie unused in drawers, even though they could be recycled. The valuable metals in particular are then missing in the manufacture of new devices and have to be recovered elsewhere. This pollutes the environment. "For these reasons, Swisscom launched the Mobile Aid program five years ago and takes back old cell phones," says Michael In Albon. "The national Mobile Aid collection days take place on December 6 and 7, when Sami lice collect unused cell phones at major Swiss railroad stations. All the proceeds will be donated to SOS Children's Villages."

Not very sustainable when using cell phones

Swiss young people are not sufficiently aware of how to use their cell phones sustainably, neither when buying them nor when recycling them. "Many young people still know little about the topic of cell phones and sustainability," says Süss. "They prefer to buy a new device instead of repairing the old model and pay little attention to sustainable features such as a long battery life." Working conditions during production are also not relevant for most people when buying a cell phone. However, around a quarter of young people have given their old cell phone away. This extends the life of the cell phone in the long term.