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 they 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 Koeun Choi, an associate professor of human development and family science, can help adolescents focus on the conversation and be more intentional about how they use technology.
“Landlines provide the opportunity to build conversation skills, like active listening, and encourage more genuine, engaged communication,” she says.
“They don’t have social media, apps, or texting, and they can only be used at home—which can spark family discussions about healthy tech use.”
Breaux adds that shared landlines—especially outside of the child’s bedroom—can help create healthier boundaries around social life, school, and family. It also makes communication more visible to parents.
“Such monitoring can be challenging with smartphones,” Breaux says. “Especially given that texts can be deleted and teens often use apps that their parents may not know exist unless they are closely tracking phone activity.”
Still, Choi cautions against banning technology completely and cautions parents against relying on landlines to completely deter use.
“Children need chances to learn how to use digital media responsibly. Research shows that open conversation and guided use work better than strict restriction,” she says.
When used thoughtfully, both experts say digital tools like video calls can actually strengthen social connections and learning.
“Active media mediation—talking about content, setting expectations, and engaging together— is one of the most effective ways to help children use technology safely and thoughtfully, rather than relying on restriction alone,” says Choi.
3 questions before getting a smartphone
Breaux suggests that parents ask:
- Is there a practical need for a personal phone? For example, after-school activities or travel.
- Is your child generally responsible, and can you trust them to follow rules and make reasonably good decisions? This is critical for healthy online behavior and for reporting cyberbullying or other risky behaviors that may occur via social media and the internet.
- Can they self-regulate screen time? If not, set clear limits—like no phones in bedrooms at night.
Source: Virginia Tech
