Why some parents are bringing back the landline for their kids — and calling it genius
Parents in the US are ditching smartphones for old-school home phones to help their kids become better listeners and communicators
Would you give your child a landline instead of a smartphone? A growing number of parents in the US are doing just that – and say it’s helping their kids communicate better, build empathy and even arrange their own playdates.
In a fascinating report published by The Atlantic, journalist Rhiannon Murray explores the rise of the so-called “landline pod” – a group of families in South Portland, Maine, who’ve embraced old-school corded phones as a clever way to delay smartphone ownership for their tweens.
It all began when one mum, Caron Morse, decided to gift her 10-year-old daughter a phone – but not the one she was expecting. Instead of a smartphone, she handed over a traditional landline.
A parenting workaround with a vintage twist
Morse’s logic was simple but smart: “Very rarely do we ask kids to be still and communicate,” she explained. “I didn’t want my kids to go play with slime when they’re on the phone. Communication should be something you’re actually focusing on.”
To make it work socially, Morse also encouraged her neighbours to get landlines – and many did. As word spread, the landline pod grew to include nearly 20 families. Children began calling each other on actual phones, with cords and no screens, sparking what some parents described as real, focused conversations.
“We noticed our kids were becoming better listeners and more empathetic,” one parent said. Another added, “The progression in how my daughter can engage people in conversation is mind-blowing.”
What makes landlines ‘genius’ for tweens?
Without the distractions of screens, social media, filters or video, the kids in the pod have been tuning in more deeply during conversations. Audio-only calls seem to help them develop subtle social skills often lost in the noise of the digital world.
Psychologist and author Jonathan Haidt praised the landline pod as a parenting “genius” move, posting on Instagram that “with attention spans decreasing further and further, these kids are cultivating not just listening skills, but attention and empathy – valuable personal skills in an increasingly digital world.”
Another neighbourhood mum, Mindy Hull, shared that her 8-year-old daughter now holds long, story-filled chats with friends – something that never happened with texting or FaceTime. “They were giggling and laughing and telling stories,” Hull said. “I couldn’t believe it.”
Kids have even started arranging their own playdates (with permission), calling to ask questions, check in on sick friends, or just catch up on rainy days – all without disappearing into digital rabbit holes or games.
Parents are trying to delay the smartphone moment
Most of the parents in the pod acknowledge that smartphones will likely come later. But the goal, they say, is to delay that handover for as long as possible – and to give their children a better foundation first.
“When the time does come for a smartphone—if it comes,” Murray writes, “the parents hope their children will be better prepared to handle one responsibly.”
Some are exploring limited-function smartwatches as a safer step toward independence. Others, like Hull, think their child might not need a smartphone at all while living at home.
The case for rethinking early screen use
This back-to-basics parenting approach lines up with what psychologists are increasingly saying about the impact of screen time on young minds.
A major study published in the American Psychological Association's Psychological Bulletin earlier this month, which analysed data from nearly 300,000 children under 10, found that screen use and emotional wellbeing are caught in a vicious cycle. More screen time can lead to anxiety and behavioural issues, and those issues, in turn, drive children to spend even more time on screens.
Gaming, in particular, showed the strongest link to emotional problems, especially in older children aged 6–10. “Increased screen time can lead to emotional and behavioural problems, and kids with those problems often turn to screens to cope,” said study author Dr Michael Noetel.
Girls were more vulnerable to emotional effects, while boys were more likely to increase screen use when struggling emotionally.
‘Screens aren’t inherently bad – but how we use them matters’
Experts stress that not all screen time is equal. Educational content and co-viewing with parents are far less likely to cause harm. But problems arise when screens replace essential activities like sleep, outdoor play or emotional connection.
Dr Tara Narula, chief medical correspondent for ABC News, summarised it simply: “If screens are stopping your child from sleeping well or playing outside, it might be time to set some boundaries.”
The landline pod isn’t about banning technology – it’s about slowing things down, and helping kids build the communication skills and emotional maturity they’ll need to navigate the digital world safely later on.
Could this work in the UK?
While the landline pod may have started in Maine, its success taps into a much bigger question British parents are increasingly asking: how young is too young for a smartphone?
With UK children spending more than four hours a day on screens by age 8, and research showing a rise in emotional struggles linked to screen use, the idea of pressing pause – even with something as retro as a home phone – might not be such a silly idea after all.
So if your child is clamouring for their first phone, maybe it’s time to consider the “dumb” option. Turns out, it might be a stroke of parenting genius.
Read more:
Authors
Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.