A new phone called the Tin Can is deliberately turning its back on the modern smartphone era, offering children a screen-free, app-free way to make calls. Designed to look and feel like a traditional landline handset with a curly cord and a base unit, it connects via home Wi-Fi and plugs into a standard power socket. There are no games, no texting, no internet access – only voice calls, and only to an approved list of contacts managed by parents.
A phone born from parental anxiety
The Tin Can was created by three Seattle-based fathers – Chet Kittleson, Max Blumen and Graeme Davies – who wanted a safer alternative for their own children. The device is aimed squarely at parents concerned about the impact of smartphones on their children’s development, mental health and social skills. The company’s mission is to provide a “middle ground”: giving children independence and connection without the risks associated with the internet and the addictive features of smartphones. The creators believe children deserve a simpler way to communicate, one that can help extend childhood and foster more meaningful in-person relationships.
Design philosophy and features
Every aspect of the Tin Can has been designed to strip away distraction. The handset features bright colours and large, easy‑to‑dial numbers. A curly cord connects it to the base, which is itself tethered to a wall socket – meaning the phone is deliberately stationary. The creators hope that this fixed position encourages children to be more present and focused during conversations, rather than wandering off while talking.
Parents control who can call and be called through a companion app. The app also allows them to set “Quiet Hours” or a “Do Not Disturb” window, disabling calls during bedtime or homework time. For emergencies, the phone supports calls to 911. There is no screen, no app store and no way to browse the web or send texts. The device relies entirely on the home Wi‑Fi network and a mains power supply, so it will not function during internet or electricity outages.
Calling plans and pricing
The Tin Can is available only in the United States and Canada, priced at $100 (about £74). Discounts are offered for multiple units. Calls between Tin Can phones are free under the “Can 2 Can” plan. To call approved contacts on regular landlines or mobile numbers, parents must subscribe to the “Party Line” plan for $9.99 a month – the first month is often included free with the purchase of a device.
Sales, funding and school endorsement
According to Bloomberg, the startup has sold hundreds of thousands of units. The company says it has sold out its first five batches of production and is now taking pre‑orders for a sixth. CEO Chet Kittleson described the response from both parents and children as “incredible”. The product has gained traction largely through word‑of‑mouth, and schools have taken notice. Nativity Parish school in Kansas reportedly delivered free Tin Cans to more than 200 elementary‑school families. The company has raised significant venture capital, including a $2.25 million seed round in June 2022, followed by a $3.5 million round and a later $12 million seed round led by Greylock Partners.
UK context and alternatives
The Tin Can is not available in the UK. It does not ship to British addresses and does not support UK phone numbers. However, the appetite for low‑tech children’s phones is growing in Britain. The UK government has announced plans for a legal ban on mobile phones in English schools, aiming to create phone‑free environments throughout the school day. Research has linked increased screen time to anxiety, depression, attention fragmentation and sleep disruption in young people. Several “dumb phone” options already exist in the UK, including basic Nokia and Alcatel models, as well as children’s smartwatches from brands such as Xplora. For families seeking a Tin Can‑like experience, the British‑focused Kite Phone offers similar functionality with UK phone numbers, GBP billing and UK‑based customer support.
Nostalgic name, practical limits
The Tin Can name is a playful reference to the childhood activity of making a phone from two cans and a piece of string – itself a much earlier form of voice communication. (The original tin can for preserving food was patented in 1810 by British merchant Peter Durand.) The modern Tin Can’s reliance on Wi‑Fi and mains power means it cannot be used outside the home or during an internet outage, and its stationary design tethers the child to a single location during calls. Nevertheless, for parents who want to reclaim their children’s attention from the endless scroll of social media and gaming apps, the device offers a deliberately limited but focused alternative – one that, its creators argue, gives children a chance to simply talk.
