What if kids picked up a ringing phone instead of a smartphone after school? This may seem strange, given the 21st century, the age of digital and smart devices. However, it is becoming a reality in some homes and schools, where a landline-shaped device called the Tin Can has gained popularity among families trying to reduce screen time.The $100 device launched in April 2025 and has sold in the hundreds of thousands, according to the company, largely through word of mouth. The startup behind it raised $3.5 million over the summer and secured a $12 million seed funding round in December led by Greylock Partners.The phone plugs into a wall outlet and includes features such as speakerphone, speed dial, and an answering machine. It allows free calls between Tin Can devices and emergency services, while a $10 monthly plan allows calls to external, parent-approved numbers.
The device is currently available in the United States and Canada.Its growing popularity comes with growing concerns about children’s screen use. Governments and organizations are exploring ways to reduce social media exposure among younger users. Australia has already imposed a ban on people under 16, while in the United States, Meta Platforms Inc. has lost ground. And Alphabet Inc. Google recently filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles linked to claims of social media addiction affecting mental health.
Schools are now beginning to adopt the device as part of efforts to reduce early exposure to smartphones. At Nativity Parish School near Kansas City, families received the tin can through a parent-led initiative.About 95% of families with children from kindergarten to fifth grade have joined the program. Students use paper evidence to trace contacts, echoing ancient methods of communication.“It’s hard for a lot of people to keep their kids off smartphones in theory, but programs like this give them more tools to feel like they can do it,” said Tracy Foster, one of the parents who led the initiative.
She added that delaying smartphone use becomes easier when entire groups adopt this approach together.According to Tin Can Untechnologies Inc., schools are now one of its fastest-growing sectors, with thousands of administrators across the U.S. exploring bulk orders.In Los Angeles, St. James Episcopal School plans to distribute the device to 220 families before the summer vacation, to encourage children to stay in touch without relying on group chats, Bloomberg reported.“We want our students to stay in touch with each other and use this option instead of group text messages or other ways they may have stayed in touch, which can sometimes hurt feelings or make people feel left out,” said Jules Lesser, the school’s director of development and communications.The device was created by CEO Chet Kittleson, who said the idea stemmed from his concerns about how children communicate today. He believes voice calls help build stronger communication skills and teach children how to handle pauses in conversation.Demand has grown rapidly, driven by parents searching for alternatives to smartphones, Kittleson said. The company is now working to catch up after experiencing server issues during a surge in installations on Christmas Day.