# The growing movement to go offline

> From flip phones to 911 staffing crises, InvestigateTV explores modern life's digital and human challenges.
- Title: The growing movement to go offline · Valleynewslive | Shortify
- Summary: From flip phones to 911 staffing crises, InvestigateTV explores modern life's digital and human challenges. Excessive screen time is driving a growing…
- Keywords: smartphones, digital detox, screen time, social media, mental health, 911 dispatchers, staffing shortage, emergency services, korean war, eunji lee, rex gruber, south korea
- Source: Valleynewslive — https://valleynewslive.com/2026/09/16/investigatetv-growing-offline-movement
- Published: 2026-09-16T11:59:35.388+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: smartphones, digital detox, screen time, social media, mental health, 911 dispatchers, staffing shortage, emergency services, korean war, eunji lee, rex gruber, south korea
## Americans ditching their smartphones
Over 90% of Americans own a smartphone, but a growing number are intentionally dialing back. Research links excessive screen time to anxiety, depression, and sleep problems.
## The 911 dispatcher crisis
Emergency dispatch centers face a staffing shortage reaching every state. Between 2019 and 2022, typical vacancy rates hit 25% due to stress and overtime.
## Trade schools see enrollment surge
Trade school enrollment grew nearly 5% between 2020 and 2023. At South Tech High School in St. Louis, students learn collision repair on a donated 1979 MGB Roadster.
## A Korean teen honors a veteran
14-year-old Eunji Lee from South Korea moved to Nebraska and wrote letters to Korean War veteran Marine Cpl. Rex Gruber to ensure his sacrifice wasn't forgotten.
## A ceremony that changed everything
Eunji attended a ceremony at Offutt Air Force Base where her father, a Korean liaison officer, presented a flag to Gruber. The experience transformed her perspective.
## Key takeaway

Excessive screen time is driving a growing movement of Americans to intentionally reduce smartphone use and return to simpler devices.