Dialling back time: Why US kids are ditching smartphones for a $100 landline

What if children picked up a ringing phone instead of a smartphone after school? This might sound strange, given the 21st centuary, the era of digital and smart devices. However, it is becoming a reality in some homes and schools, as a landline-style device called the Tin Can gains popularity among families trying to cut down screen time.Launched in April 2025, the $100 device has sold in the hundreds of thousands, according to the company, largely through word-of-mouth. The startup behind it raised $3.5 million over the summer and secured a $12 million seed round in December led by Greylock Partners.The phone plugs into a wall outlet and includes features such as a speakerphone, speed dial and an answering machine. It allows free calls between Tin Can devices and to emergency services, while a $10 monthly plan enables calls with parent-approved external numbers. The device is currently available in the United States and Canada.Its growing popularity comes as concerns around children’s screen use intensify. Governments and institutions are exploring ways to limit social media exposure among younger users. Australia has already introduced a ban for those under 16, while in the United States, Meta Platforms Inc. and Alphabet Inc.’s Google recently lost a court case in Los Angeles tied to claims of social media addiction impacting mental health.Schools are now beginning to adopt the device as part of efforts to reduce early exposure to smartphones. At Nativity Parish School near Kansas City, families received the Tin Can through a parent-led initiative.Around 95% of families with children from kindergarten to fifth grade have joined the programme. Students use paper directories to keep track of contacts, echoing older communication methods.“It’s hard for a lot of people to keep kids off of smartphones conceptually, but programs like this give them more tools so they feel like they can do it,” said Tracy Foster, a parent who led the initiative. She added that delaying smartphone use becomes easier when entire groups adopt the approach together.According to Tin Can Untechnologies Inc., schools are now one of its fastest-growing segments, with thousands of administrators across the United States exploring bulk orders.In Los Angeles, St. James’ Episcopal School plans to distribute the device to its 220 families ahead of the summer break, encouraging children to stay connected without relying on group chats, Bloomberg reported.“We want our students to remain connected to each other and use this option rather than group texts or other ways they may have stayed in touch, which can sometimes lead to hurt feelings or having people feel left out,” said Jules Leyser, the school’s director of advancement and communications.The device was created by chief executive Chet Kittleson, who said the idea stemmed from his concerns about how children communicate today. He believes voice calls help build stronger communication skills and teach children to handle pauses in conversation.Kittleson said demand has grown rapidly, driven by parents seeking alternatives to smartphones. The company is now working to keep pace after experiencing server issues during a surge in installations on Christmas Day.