Given the increasing use of smartphones and digital exposure among children worldwide, there is talk of banning smartphones in schools in many countries. Meanwhile, parents also face a big dilemma: should they give their children feature-rich smartphones or not? If not, then what is a safe and easy alternative to stay in touch with them? Amidst these concerns, the old-fashioned landline phone is making a comeback in a new avatar. In the US and Canada, a screen-free wired phone called ‘Tin Can’ is rapidly gaining popularity among Gen Alpha children (up to 16 years old). Priced at around $100 (approximately 9500 rupees), this phone looks like a 90s landline. It features large physical buttons, a coiled cord, and a base stand.
Phone box is old-fashioned, but the technology is new Tin Can’s technology is completely modern. It connects to Wi-Fi and provides internet calling facility. The most special thing is that it has no apps, games, or messaging features. This means children can only make calls, and that too within a limited scope. Parents set up this phone through a mobile app and decide who the child can talk to. This eliminates the risk of unknown calls or spam. Only trusted contacts are available. This phone was designed to protect children from digital overload This device was designed by three individuals from Seattle, whose aim was to protect their children from digital overload. They state that smartphones available in the market are either too complex or not safe for children. In this context, this new no-screen wired phone is emerging as a balanced solution, where children can stay connected and also be protected from the risks of the digital world. It is receiving good responses on social media.
