A growing trend among young people is the use of landlines to curb smartphone usage and address screen addiction. Concerns about excessive screen time’s impact on mental health, attention span, and critical thinking are driving this shift. A Pew Research Center study found that 62 % of Americans considered landlines a necessity 15 years ago, but the rise of smartphones caused a steep decline in landline use. By 2022, 72.6 % of adults and 81.9 % of children lived in households without a landline.
Despite the overall decline, a new wave of youth is rediscovering landlines’ benefits. Catherine Goetze, an AI educator, created the “Physical Phone,” a landline that connects to smartphones and lets users take calls without picking up their device. The concept has attracted significant attention, garnering over 2 million Instagram views and 38 000 followers on the brand’s account. Others are finding creative ways to limit screen time with landlines. Artist Erin Wakeland attached her smartphone to a chain on her wall, forming a literal landline that forces her to stay in one spot to use the phone. Kassadi, a 29‑year‑old creator, went viral by sharing her “landline mode,” which allows only call and text notifications on her iPhone.
The trend extends beyond individuals to companies launching landline phones for children. Tin Can, designed by Chet Kittleston, connects to an app that lets parents control who their kids can call and set do‑not‑disturb hours. Dr. Ysabel Gerrard, a senior lecturer in digital communication, says nostalgia plays a significant role in the landline resurgence, as people look to past solutions for modern problems. While some experts argue that abandoning modern technology entirely is not the answer, reducing screen time can offer benefits. Dr. Briony Hannell, a sociology lecturer, notes that reshaping one’s relationship with smartphones is complex and influenced by factors such as news consumption and social media. Nevertheless, small steps to cut screen time can make a difference, and the landline trend may represent a positive move.
As people seek to reconnect with others and find a sense of community, the landline may play a surprising role in the digital age.
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