Parents Are Turning to Landlines—Here's Why They're Banning Smartphones for Their Kids!

When Lauren Zobec decided to buy her two young sons a plastic turquoise landline telephone, she underestimated the challenge they would face in understanding how to use it. “They were like aliens when they first got it — they were holding it out to here,” Zobec shared. The boys, accustomed to modern technology like FaceTime, struggled with the traditional concept of answering a phone by introducing themselves. Zobec emphasizes, “I think they were so used to FaceTime that they don’t know when you answer the phone, you have to say, ‘Hi Winston, this is Zach.’”

This landline phone, called the Tin Can, is part of a growing movement that aims to bring back the traditional landline phone for children. Founded by Chet Kittleson, the company has discovered a significant demand in his Seattle neighborhood. “I would go into a house, set it up, I’d meet them, tell them how it works,” Kittleson recounted. “And oftentimes when I was at a parent’s house, by the time I’d left, I would have five to six text messages from their friends saying, 'How can I get one?’”

The Tin Can phones connect via the internet and can only call or receive calls from numbers designated by an adult. This provides children with a form of communication while allowing parents to maintain control over their interactions, which is becoming increasingly important in a digital age filled with unfiltered access to social media and smartphones.

Kittleson notes the irony of his product: “We’re actively more aware of some of the challenges of cell phones, so we are pushing that age back, and the more we do it, we are creat[ing] a new problem. ‘OK, great you don’t have a cell phone, but now you have nothing and that’s not good either. Now, you feel isolated, and you’re not learning how to use your voice.’” In December, Tin Can saw its call volume increase by over 100 times, indicating a strong and growing interest in the concept.

In Denver, second-grader Jules Wiseman expressed his appreciation for the newfound independence provided by the Tin Can. “I like that you can make arrangements with friends for playdates,” he said. This sentiment resonates with many parents who see value in their children learning to communicate effectively. In East Denver, about 100 families from the same elementary school have adopted the Tin Can phone, creating a community where children can engage without the distractions of smartphones.

At the Wiseman household, Jules’ nine-year-old brother, Miles, is embracing the playful side of phone ownership, experimenting with the art of crank calling. “Hi, would you like the $2-million-dollar meal deal? It comes with everything you can imagine,” he jokes. This playful interaction might seem trivial, but it reflects a comfort level with voice communication that many children today may lack.

Dr. Yalda Uhls, a research scientist studying technology and adolescent development at the University of California, Los Angeles, echoes the positive sentiments of parents. She notes that landlines can restore a sense of freedom for young children. “I love the fact they’re arranging their own playdates … I definitely think we coddle our children a lot and we don’t feel comfortable letting them have agency and independence,” Uhls comments, underscoring the importance of fostering autonomy in children.

It’s worth noting that guidelines from child development experts increasingly recommend holding off on smartphone ownership until children reach the age of 16. This advice has prompted parents like Zobec and her neighbors to explore alternatives like the Tin Can phone as a means of striking a balance between connectivity and safety.

As the conversation around technology and children’s development continues to evolve, the Tin Can phone highlights a growing trend: a desire for simplified communication tools that allow children to engage with their peers while minimizing exposure to the complexities of modern smartphones. This shift not only reflects parental concerns about technology but also illustrates a fundamental need for children to learn communication skills in a more traditional, less distracting environment.