If you remember running home after school to grab the family landline and call your best friend before dinner, the new device Fraud aims to restart this practice for a new generation.
The kid-focused tech company announced Tuesday the launch of Pinwheel Home, a modern take on the classic home phone that lets kids stay connected without the distraction of a smartphone.
Pinwheel positions the phone as an introduction to phones for 5-10-year-olds before they’re smartphone-ready. The company already offers smartphones suitable for children and has been activated smart watch last year.
Instead of texting or messing around on social media, Pinwheel Home is built for voice calls only. The company says the phone encourages more meaningful, one-on-one conversations, while giving kids the independence to call friends and family and practice basic phone skills without borrowing a parent’s device.
The launch comes as more parents are looking for ways to reduce their children’s screen time amid growing concerns about the impact of technology on their development. Studies have linked excessive screen time to emotional, behavioral, and social problems. Moreover, recent research A study from the University of Georgia found that children who spend more time on social media have poorer vocabulary development over time, including more difficulty recognizing and pronouncing words.
Note that while the Pinwheel Home looks like a traditional landline, it works over Wi-Fi, eliminating the need for a phone jack. It comes in two models. The Spark starts at $68 and comes in white, black, blue, and purple. The Classic is $79 and includes a retro phone and customizable stickers in pink, black, and white color options.
For security purposes, parents control the device through Pinwheel’s Caregiver Portal, where they can approve contacts, block unknown callers, spam and robocalls, and set call schedules and time limits. Speed dial and voice mail are also available.
The company notes that future updates will introduce three-way calling and allow Pinwheel Home to integrate with its watches and smartphones, allowing kids to use the same phone number between devices while limiting screen time at home.
countries Like Australia, it has restricted social media access for children, and the UK has announced plans for similar measures.
The device also competes with other non-screen communication products for children Tin CanThe $100 Wi-Fi-equipped landline phone lets parents manage approved contacts through a companion app.
Calls between Pinwheel Home devices are free through the company’s Pinwheel Circle service. Families looking to call standard phone numbers can choose plans starting at $6.99 per month for up to five verified contacts and $9.99 per month for unlimited calling. (By comparison, calls between Tin Can devices are also free, while the friends and family plan is $9.99 per month.)
House of Fraud is now available on the company’s website and is expected to be available on Amazon this fall.
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