If you fondly recall rushing home from school to use the family phone for a chat with your friend before dinner, a new invention from Pinwheel aims to rekindle that nostalgic experience for today’s youth.
Pinwheel, a tech company dedicated to kids, unveiled Pinwheel Home, a contemporary version of the traditional household phone that allows children to stay connected without the distractions of smart devices.
This phone is designed for children aged 5 to 10, serving as an introduction to telecommunication before they’re ready for full smartphones. The company already offers child-friendly smartphones and launched a smartwatch last year.
Unlike smartphones, which facilitate texting and social media scrolling, Pinwheel Home is exclusively designed for voice calls. The device promotes more significant, individual conversations, empowering kids to connect with friends and family while honing essential phone skills without needing to borrow a parent’s phone.
The introduction of this product comes amid increasing parental concerns regarding screen time and its potential adverse effects on children’s development. Research indicates that excessive screen use may lead to various emotional and behavioral issues. A recent study from the University of Georgia also highlighted that children with more social media exposure often face challenges in vocabulary development, impacting their ability to recognize and articulate words.
Pinwheel Home resembles a traditional landline but operates over Wi-Fi, removing the necessity for a phone jack. It is available in two models: the Spark, starting at $68 in colors like white, black, blue, and purple, and the Classic, priced at $79, featuring a retro handset and customizable stickers, available in pink, black, and white.
For added safety, parents manage the device using the Pinwheel Caregiver Portal, allowing them to approve contacts, block unknown callers, filter out spam and robocalls, and establish calling schedules and time constraints. The device also features speed dial and voicemail options.
Future upgrades will include three-way calling and integration with Pinwheel’s smartwatches and smartphones, allowing children to share the same phone number across devices while maintaining limited screen time.
Countries like Australia have implemented restrictions on children’s access to social media, with the U.K. planning similar initiatives.
Pinwheel Home joins a range of screen-free communication products designed for kids, going up against other offerings like Tin Can, a $100 Wi-Fi-enabled landline that provides parental control over approved contacts through a companion app.
Family communication is free between Pinwheel Home devices using the Pinwheel Circle service. Those wanting to call traditional phone numbers can select plans starting at $6.99 per month for up to five approved contacts or $9.99 per month for unlimited calls. In comparison, Tin Can also offers free calls among its devices, with a friends and family plan priced at $9.99 per month.
Pinwheel Home is available now on the company’s website and is set to appear on Amazon later this fall.
