When Caron Morse’s 9-year-old daughter asked for a smartphone, the answer was a definitely a ‘no’ but wanting to give her kids some independence, she opted for a retro solution instead: a landline.

She didn’t stop there. Morse encouraged her community in South Portland, Maine, to do the same. Her efforts paid off and now 15 to 20 families have landlines, creating a “pod” where kids can talk to friends, arrange playdates, and build communication skills without access to social media or screens.

Key highlights:

• The landline gives kids independence while limiting screen exposure and distractions.
• Parents reported that children became better listeners, more empathetic, and learned practical phone etiquette.
• The community model helped overcome the isolation many parents fear when delaying smartphones.
• This approach gave parents a window into their children’s social lives and allowed for more focused, screen-free communication.
• Many parents say they’ll introduce smartphones later, but want to delay until kids are more emotionally mature.

While not a perfect solution, the landline has provided a low-tech, high-connection alternative that more families are considering. Experts note that the most effective tech limits are those paired with real alternatives that meet children’s needs for connection and communication.

The Atlantic -> Read more about Caron’s story