Why Parents Are Getting Landlines for Their Kids

Screens have become an unavoidable part of childhood in modern society. Chromebooks, phones, and tablets are used in most schools for apps like Zoom, Google Classroom, even for the most basic homework assignments for children of all ages.

To some parents, it feels impossible to reduce screen-time, but, there is a way.

Recently, parents have begun purchasing their children "Tin-Cans", which claim to be the, "New-School Landline for Kids". The Tin-Can connects to Wifi and is controlled by parents through an app. Parents pick what numbers the phone is able to call, and receive calls from, avoiding stranger danger! Parents are also able to set quiet hours, where the phone cannot receive or put out calls. Don't worry though, 911 will overpower any settings and can always be dialed!

Having a phone encourages independence and people skills in children, and a land-line will protect kids from violent online content, and strangers! (While reducing screen-time!)

Alternatively, if you would rather not deal with an app, or a monthly subscription fee, basic landlines or a flip-phone will always do the trick!

Throwback Entertainment: Old Shows Making a Comeback

The world is overstimulating, which isn't a surprise. Today's shows are fast-paced, and are lacking the lessons that children's shows once taught!

Today, some parents are living like the 2000's and are introducing their children to the classics that they loved when they were young. Some classics that teach great lessons such as empathy, kindness, and people skills are Little Bear, Reading Rainbow, Franklin the Turtle, Blue's Clues, The Berenstain Bears, Bear in the Big Blue House, Oswald, Sesame Street.

Studies have shown that fast-paced shows, such as CocoMelon, which feature cuts every 1-3 seconds are linking to immediate dips in attention, as well as irritability in toddlers.

Some modern shows which are also less-stimulating for children, while also including a lot of teaching moments are Sesame Street, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood (A Spin-Off of Mr. Roger's Neighborhood), Dora the Explorer, Bluey, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!

Television shows that are gentle, creative, and give children the same cozy vibes that we all grew up with are the best! The world is over stimulating, and by helping our children consume content that is less busy, it will help them with mood swings, attention span, and will help them learn a lot of important lessons!

Screen-Free Fun at Home

In a world of screens, sometimes it is easy for the other beautiful parts of the world to go by the way-side.

Arts & Crafts projects are a great way to teach children creativity, patience, and to help strengthen familial bonds. This can be something as simple as filling in coloring books together, or finding a special craft to complete together!

If you aren't artsy, a great way for the family to spend time together is with family board game nights! This is a great way to teach children counting skills, teamwork, how to take turns and how to share! Playing card games also strengthens mental abilities.

Another great way to get rid of screens is at dinner-time! The family can sit together at dinner and talk to each other about their day! You can even print out a list of questions if you are stumped and learn more about each other.

A TikTok Trend: Living Like It’s the Early 2000s

Parents online are ditching constant screens and giving kids a taste of the childhood they once had. The question is: how do you wish you were raised? Now’s your chance to create that experience for your kids.

And the good news? A lot of the classic shows, games, movies, and things from our childhood are now easy to find online! Some episodes are on streaming services, others are on DVD's, and some are even found on YouTube for free!

Video Games That Teach, Not Just Entertain

Not all games are bad for kids! The right games can actually teach patience, planning, and empathy. Remember, every child is different! Look into each game and make sure that it is the right fit for your child before you buy, or play together!

• Stardew Valley
  • Teaches empathy, patience, financial responsibility, and farming basics.
  • Best for ages 13+ (with guidance).
  • Great family bonding game.
• Minecraft
  • Endless creativity and adventure.
  • Peaceful mode removes monsters for stress-free play.
  • Single-player or safe multiplayer options : Ability to add parental control modes, disable chat, and censor swearing in chat.
• The Sims
  • Encourages imagination and life planning.
  • Create-A-Sim mode which allows for dress-up of characters and character creation.
  • Best for teens & young adults : If this is for young children they should be monitored.
  • Parents should consider their child's maturity level and their own personal values when deciding if this game is appropriate.
• Animal Crossing
  • Wholesome, cozy, and teaches community values.
  • Educational Elements that allow kids to learn about saving and spending, real-world objects, global food dishes.
  • Encourages creativity and design : Players design their own island towns, decorate homes, create custom designs, fostering imagination.
  • Relies on real-time progression for building projects, teaching children patience.
• Mario Kart
  • Family-friendly competition and teamwork.
  • Rated E for Everyone.
  • While this game is suitable for all ages, it does require some motor skills and cognitive ability, so some parents recommend starting at age 5 or 6.
• Other Good Options
  • Lego Games
    • Known for humor, co-op play modes so you can all play together!
    • Complex battles which can be tricky. Can teach patience, strategy, and motor skills.
  • Toca Boca
    • Designed for a young audience, features no explicit content.
    • Open-ended play allowing for a focus on creativity and imagination.
    • Allows kids to explore, build, and tell stories in a pressure-free, open-ended environment.
    • Can be used offline, convenient for travel and situations without internet access.
    • There are in-app purchases which can encourage spending money to buy extra items, characters, or locations! So just be careful about that!
  • Super Mario Odyssesy
    • E10+ Rating
    • Includes an assist mode that remove falling off of edges, adds extra health and makes the game more accessible for younger players!
    • Simple controls, co-op gameplay.
    • Great choice for children to play with parents.
  • Disney Dreamlight Valley
    • E for Everyone
    • Could be challenging for very young children as it Includes a lot of reading, strategic thinking for tasks, and it also includes some in-game purchases.
    • Feautures many beloved Disney & Pixar characters, and a fairy-tale environment to explore.
    • Provides wholesome and positive themes with good role models. It also covers mature themes like friendships, loneliness and insecurity in the storyline of the game.
    • Allows for creativity in the customization of the player avatar, their homes.
  • Powerwash Simulator
    • E for Everyone.
    • Relaxing simulation game where players clean objects like buildings and vehicles with a power washer.
    • Easy mechanics, satisfying cleaning gameplay.
    • Co-Op! The family can play together.
  • Horizon Zero Dawn
    • Rated T for Teen and parents have suggested it for players 12+.
    • Strong Female Lead, Great role model characters.
    • Complex Story, Non-Realistic Violence.
  • Roblox
    • Should be used with heavy parental control settings to avoid connecting with strangers, to avoid any inappropriate games.
    • The game has a private chat feature and a friend request feature, however these can be completely disabled.
    • Fosters creativity, problem-solving skills, coding abilities, social skills, teamwork, collaboration, and can even teach entrepreneurial skills! Also teaches hand-eye coordination.
  • Fortnite - Especially Lego Fortnite
    • Great opportunity to teach children the difference between gaming and real life.
    • Mild Gameplay.
    • Has a lot of game modes for all styles of play! Including Lego Fortnite, building modes.
    • Recommended for Ages 13+

Recommended Screen-Time Limits

• Under 18 months: none.
• Up to age 5: 1 hour a day.
• Older kids: aim for just a couple hours max.

⚡ Pro Tip: Always give kids a 5–10 minute warning before screen time is up. It saves meltdowns and helps them finish their game without losing progress.

The Big Picture on Screen Time

There isn’t conclusive evidence linking video games to violent behavior — but every child is different. Choosing age-appropriate, non-violent games and balancing them with offline activities is the real win!