Suddenly, landlines are making a comeback in some households, sparking new forms of communication among parents and children. In San Diego, Alison Lundberg has recently installed a landline, resulting in an unexpected thrill each time the phone rings, an experience her family hasn’t had in decades, reports BritPanorama.
For Lundberg, the decision to get a landline was motivated by safety concerns for her four-year-old daughter, Ava. Last summer, Ava learned about emergency procedures at a preschool camp, including how to call 911. Noting that only mobile phones were available in their household, Lundberg realised this could hinder Ava’s ability to respond in an emergency.
Now equipped with a phone featuring large buttons and emergency icons, Ava can practice calling help in a real setting, fostering both independence and communication skills. Lundberg finds that “there’s some joy” in her daughter connecting with her family, especially her grandparents, without the need for scheduled calls.
Other parents echo these sentiments. Eliza Bianco, whose children received a landline for Christmas, observes that it has empowered her kids to have “adorable” conversations, helping them learn proper phone etiquette. They are guided on how to initiate calls and greet the person on the other end, which contrasts sharply with the more impersonal nature of texting and screen-based communication.
Many families see landlines as a way to delay the onset of smartphones and social media. Lundberg advocates for this “revolution,” encouraging other parents to adopt landlines. She believes it will help prepare her daughter for conversations with peers when the time comes for smartphones, addressing both social skills and the complexities of digital communication.
Nonetheless, experts like Dr. Shayl Griffith caution that having a landline is not an all-encompassing solution. Parents need to navigate the broader implications of media consumption. They should implement a media plan that addresses children’s needs while introducing them gradually to digital platforms.
Ultimately, while landlines may offer a nostalgic touch and facilitate direct communication, experts maintain that they cannot entirely replace the skills necessary for engaging safely and effectively in today’s digital world.
