Episode Details

If you want to get your kids off screens this summer, you aren't alone. Along with a growing nostalgia for '90s tech like point-and-shoot cameras and MP3 players, parents are increasingly turning to Wi-Fi landlines to avoid smart phones. These Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phones look and feel like old-school corded phones but run over your home internet connection.

This episode, Wirecutter baby and kid editor Rachel Hurn explains why families are embracing these devices. She shares how her own Wi-Fi phone, a Tin Can, has given her eight-year-old independence to set up playdates and created an environment for undistracted conversations.

This episode covers:

• Why parents are returning to landlines: Phones like the Tin Can delay the need for smartphones and allow kids to have more independence and less distraction.
• How VoIP phones differ from traditional landlines: Instead of using physical copper wires, VoIP phones make calls using your internet connection.
• Kid-friendly safety features: These phones feature controlled contact lists to prevent spam calls and allow parents to set quiet hours.
• Competitors and costs: Although we’ve only tested the Tin Can, other companies (including Ooma, Pinwheel, and Ring Ring Club) sell similar devices. These phones typically cost between $60 and $100, and subscriptions for added features (like a controlled contact list) typically cost around $10 per month..
• The limits of Wi-Fi: Because these phones rely entirely on your Wi-Fi connection, they won't work during an internet or power outage.

Products we recommend: 

• A Wi-Fi–enabled home phone: Tin Can
• You can also check out Ooma, Pinwheel, and Ring Ring Club for other kid-friendly Wi-Fi landlines. 

Additional reading:

• 8 Ways to Create a “Light-Tech” Summer for Your Kids
• Parents Are Lining Up to Pay $100 for Tin Can’s Screenless, App-Free “Landline”
• The 4 Best First Phones for Kids 2026

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