On a summer afternoon in Tompkins Square Park, August Lamm set up a booth to promote her pamphlet titled “You Don’t Need a Smartphone,” inviting passersby to rethink their reliance on modern devices. Now 31, Lamm has transitioned from a social media influencer with hundreds of thousands of followers to an advocate for minimal technology use, encouraging others to adopt simpler communication tools and regain control over their attention and time.

Once an art influencer on Instagram with 200,000 followers, Lamm’s departure from the digital world began four years ago when she swapped her smartphone for a basic cellphone from the early 2000s. Since then, she has progressively removed herself from digital platforms, including deactivating her social media accounts and limiting email to once a week at the public library. Her efforts culminated in the recent publication of an expanded paperback version of her self-published guide “You Don’t Need a Smartphone,” which offers practical advice for those interested in adopting a low-tech lifestyle.

At the park, Lamm’s outreach drew mixed reactions. Some visitors, deeply engaged with their devices, ignored her. Others, like Louis Toledo, 73, shared concerns tied to mobile technology but declined to abandon their smartphones. The resistance to reducing device dependence remains widespread, despite a growing low-tech movement that includes organized groups such as Phone Free Adelphi, Month Offline, and NYC Off Tech. Lamm has become a prominent figure within this community, advocating for a return to more traditional, offline modes of connection.

Lamm’s own journey through technology is marked by challenges and transformation. After studying South Asian art history and building an initial online following with her ink drawings, she experienced the pressures of constant social media engagement. The stress intensified during a period when she was locked out of her Instagram account for several months, coinciding with a diagnosis of a degenerative spinal disorder that made using touchscreen devices difficult.

Following this involuntary hiatus, Lamm chose to disengage entirely from social platforms and smartphones, finding new creative and personal freedom. She completed a novel inspired by her offline life, engaged in busking and freelance writing, and invested in low-tech community projects. Among these is her Center for Archaic Networks, dedicated to reviving pre-digital social connections, and a residency program in upstate New York where participants agree to lock away their devices.

Despite the challenges of her minimalist lifestyle, which she describes as “not comfortable” and “very cheap,” Lamm has gained recognition for her work. A two-book deal with a major publisher recently brought her message to a broader audience. Yet, she remains steadfast in her rejection of commercial partnerships with phone companies and resists reactivating her dormant social media accounts.

Lamm's recent event at Nightclub 101 in New York City demonstrated the ongoing tension between technological dependence and the desire for less mediated interaction. The audience, many of whom still carried smartphones, engaged with her message but often found it difficult to fully detach. Lamm acknowledges this gap, noting that while many support the concept of reducing screen time, few are ready to commit personally.

Her campaign highlights broader conversations about technology’s impact on attention, social connection, and mental well-being. As digital engagement continues to dominate daily life, voices like Lamm’s encourage reflection on what might be gained by unplugging, even as many remain tethered to their devices.