In view of the increasing smartphone use and digital exposure among children across the world, there are talks of banning smartphones in schools in many countries. At the same time, parents also face a big dilemma, should they be given smartphones with heavy features or not? If not, what is a safe and easy option to stay in touch with them? Amidst these concerns, the old-fashioned landline phone is making a comeback in a new avatar. A screen-free wired phone called ‘Tin Can’ is becoming increasingly popular among Gen Alpha (up to 16 years of age) children in the US and Canada. This phone, priced at around 100 dollars (about 9500 rupees), looks like a landline of the 90s. It has large physical buttons, curved cords and a base stand. The phone box is old fashioned, but the technology of the new tin can is completely modern. It connects to Wi-Fi and allows internet calling. The most important thing is that it does not have any app, game or messaging feature. That means children can only make calls, that too within a limited range. Parents set up the phone through a mobile app and decide who the child can talk to. There is no risk of unknown calls or spam. Only trusted contacts are available. This phone design protects children from digital overload. This device was designed jointly by three people from Seattle, whose aim was to protect their children from digital overload. He says that the smartphones available in the market are either overly complex or not safe for children. In such a situation, this new no-screen wired phone is emerging as a balanced solution, where children can stay in touch and also stay safe from the risks of the digital world. It is getting good responses on social media.
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