Kids are using old-school technology. It’s making their parents happy

February 24, 2026 - 02:11

In a surprising twist on the digital detox, a growing number of parents are intentionally reintroducing a piece of vintage technology into their homes: the landline telephone. Far from being a nostalgic novelty, this move is a deliberate strategy to reshape their children's relationship with technology and communication.

Parents report that the simple, shared family landline successfully delays the inevitable plunge into the world of smartphones and social media. Without a personal device in their pocket, children are sheltered from the constant pressures of notifications, curated online personas, and endless scrolling. This delay, families find, creates valuable space for childhood to unfold at a slower, less mediated pace.

The benefits extend beyond mere avoidance. Families note a marked improvement in their kids' practical communication skills. Conversations on a landline require clearer speech, patience, and the social cues learned through uninterrupted dialogue. It also recenters the home as a shared space, with calls often taken in common areas, fostering a sense of family connection often fractured by individual screens. This old-school solution is proving to be a powerful, practical tool for modern parenting challenges.