Landline Phones for Kids: Why Parents Are Bringing Them Back
- What: A growing trend of parents providing children with landlines instead of, or along with, smartphones.
- Where: Primarily in the United States, as reported by Virginia Tech research.
- When: Increasingly observed in recent years, particularly around holiday seasons.
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Why Some Parents Are Giving Kids landlines Instead of Smartphones
If you have a child, chances are you’ve already been asked, “When can I have a cellphone?” For many kids, a smartphone is at the top of their Christmas wishlist.
But a growing number of parents are putting something more old-fashioned under the tree this year: a landline.
Virginia Tech child psychology and development experts say this trend is a positive shift, explaining its benefits, potential drawbacks, and other ways parents can manage their child’s use of smartphone technology.
When are children ready for smartphones?
Knowing when to introduce a smartphone isn’t easy. Child psychologist and assistant professor Rosanna Breaux says research suggests that middle school-around age 12 or 13-is often when adolescents may be ready for their own phone. It’s a time when thay begin maintaining friendships and participating in after-school activities.
“Cell phones change the game for social communication,” Breaux explains.
“they make communication more frequent and immediate, with constant opportunities for interaction through text messages and social media. Social media is now the main form of adolescent social interaction, activating the biological systems that are responsible for their heightened sensitivity to social feedback and rewards.”
However, too much screen time has been linked to negative effects on children’s physical, cognitive, and socioemotional development. Breaux says excessive use is linked to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, poor sleep, and shorter attention spans.
Why are parents returning to landlines?
Landlines,says dr. Breaux, offer a level of safety and control that smartphones frequently enough lack. They allow parents to monitor communication more easily and limit exposure to potentially harmful online content.
Here’s a breakdown of the benefits parents are seeing:
- Controlled Communication: Parents can easily monitor calls and ensure children are communicating with appropriate contacts.
- Reduced Screen Time: Landlines inherently limit screen exposure, addressing concerns about the negative impacts of excessive screen time.