Parents are opting for landlines over smartphones for their kids due to concerns about online safety and harmful content. Lindsay Matheson from Toronto encouraged her daughter to use the family’s landline instead of getting her a smartphone right away. Similarly, Maggie O’Connor found herself giving her daughter a landline to avoid sharing her own phone.
Maddie Freeman and Isabella Wen shared their negative experiences with smartphones, highlighting issues like addiction and exposure to harmful content. Freeman founded a non-profit called NoSo November to promote reducing social media use among young people. Wen, a NoSo youth leader, advocates for a healthier digital world through her involvement in the movement.
The resurgence of landlines and the popularity of “dumb” phones reflect a growing trend of parents seeking alternatives to constant screen exposure for their children. Adam Dubé, an associate professor at McGill University, emphasizes the importance of monitoring children’s device usage and promoting digital literacy.
Dubé suggests evaluating a child’s readiness for a smartphone based on their ability to follow rules and respect boundaries. He also stresses the need for teaching children ethical online behavior and critical information interpretation. Freeman believes that tech companies should take responsibility for the negative impacts of social media and implement stricter regulations.
While individuals can adopt healthier social media habits, Freeman argues that tech companies must make significant changes to prioritize user well-being over profit. She believes that efforts to reclaim attention and establish healthier habits are essential, but the ultimate responsibility lies with the tech industry to enact meaningful change.