As I’ve gotten more into the small web, the personal web, whatever you want to call it, I have noticed a lot of anti-phone sentiment. There is no shortage of websites with notices that their website is made for desktop browsers, not mobile devices. That, in itself, is not great, but not terrible, but there are some that take it a step further and admonish phone users and say that we should all stop browsing the internet on our phones, or do so less. That shift in tone is where the problem lies. It is one thing to choose not to make one’s website responsive and another to judge the user for what device they happen to be using. And I think a lot of people don’t even realize how problematic it is to make statements like that.
The reality is that people are going to visit your website on phones. “Best viewed on desktop” messages aren’t going to do anything for what people view your site on, with the exception of some people just clicking away and never coming back. Mobile browsers are fully featured browsers. Even if you use absolute positioning and sizes which make things less usable on mobile, mobile browsers are still going to be able to display your site. Users might have to jump through various hoops, switching their browser to desktop mode, zooming in, turning their phone on its side, etc. to be able to read your content, but they can read your content. And people who browse on phones are already used to doing this. And if you choose not to make your site responsive, this is how no small number of people are going to be experiencing your site.
Personally, I respect the decision to make one’s personal website in whatever way pleases you. If you don’t want to make a responsive site because you’re going for a certain aesthetic, that’s fine. You don’t need to make a declaration that your site is best viewed on desktop. If you are going to make a declaration, if anything, it should be an apology. But please, please please please, let’s stop with the self-righteous anti-phone sentiments. These statements make unfair assumptions about mobile users and come from a place of privilege.
Addressing assumptions
First of all, screen time is screen time. It doesn’t matter whether that screen time is with a phone, a computer, or some other device. We all should reduce our screen time. Using a phone isn’t inherently worse. Not everyone browsing on a phone is doing so in lieu of engaging with real life. A person on their phone for an hour a day is still better off than a person using their computer for six hours a day.
The problem with phones lies in the fact that some people are using their phones at inappropriate times. They’re using them at social events, at work, while driving, lying in bed at night, etc. Times when they should be engaged with what they are doing or when using technology is detrimental to their well-being. It’s okay to discourage this kind of phone use. But that’s not what you’re doing when you’re making a blanket statement that people should do all their web browsing on a laptop or desktop computer. You’re alienating all people browsing on their phones.
Reasons people use phones
Despite popular belief, these aren’t all people using their phones at the dinner table and doom scrolling when they should be sleeping. There are people who have very good reasons to be using their phones. According to a 2024 Pew Research study, 15% of US adults are phone-only internet users, meaning that they have a smartphone, but they do not have home internet service. And most of these people come from lower-income households. There are still no insignificant number of people that can only afford to pay for one device and service, and naturally, these people are going to pick the one that also allows them to make phone calls and send text messages. Especially considering the increasing difficulty of navigating society today without a phone.
Not to mention the fact that cell phones and data plans are significantly cheaper than computers and internet service. Just doing a cursory search, the cheapest internet service I could find locally was $20 for a plan offering 150 MB down speeds. By contrast, you can get an unlimited cell phone plan through an MVNO for $15 a month, and you can go even cheaper if you get a plan with limited data. And these are 5g plans, which typically get down speeds faster than that 150 MB internet plan that I mentioned a moment ago. Likewise, the devices themselves differ in cost. The cheapest phone I could find through a reputable retailer was $59, whereas the cheapest laptop I could find was $120 for a refurbished device. (Just as a note, I’m choosing not to link to the sites where I am sourcing these numbers because I don’t want to drive traffic to corporate websites, plus this is the type of information that can become quickly outdated. If anyone wants any recommendations I will give them, but I don’t want to give large corporations free advertising.)
My point is, if a person wants to get online for the lowest cost possible, they’re going to choose a phone over a traditional computer setup. And there’s a word for judging people for being frugal, it’s “classism.”
And then there are other factors that contribute to people choosing to use a cell phone over a computer. People with certain disabilities may find a touch screen easier to use than a keyboard and mouse. Likewise, someone who is unable to sit for an extended period, due to injury or disability, may find a cell phone easier to use, because they can use it lying down. Not to mention all of the useful apps that can make living with a disability easier.
And then some people just find using a phone easier or more convenient for a multitude of reasons. And that is valid. Let’s stop making assumptions about people and judging them without knowing their situation.
Conclusion
In short, I don’t think people should necessarily stop making websites that are clunky but not impossible to use on mobile. It’s an art form and I appreciate that. But what I am saying is that I would really like to see people stop being so judgemental towards phone users. They’re people with feelings, and they may have a very good reason for reading your website on their phone. So let’s just stop, please.
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