The Landline Loophole: Why Smart Parents Are Delaying Smartphones (And How to Set One Up)

Why Smart Parents Are Choosing Landlines Over Smartphones in 2026

The pressure is on. Your child is 10 years old, maybe younger, and they are begging for a phone. "Everyone else has one," they say. And as a parent, you’re torn. You want them to be safe and reachable, but you’ve read the terrifying stats about social media, sleep disruption, and the rewiring of developing brains.

There is a third option that Silicon Valley doesn't talk about: The Landline.

Yes, the technology of the 90s is making a massive comeback among privacy-focused, tech-savvy families. It is the perfect loophole to the "I need to call you" problem without handing your child a portal to the entire unmoderated internet.

Here is why you should consider a landline for your household, and exactly how to set one up with the major US internet providers. Note that this article does contain affiliate links. 

The Brain Game: Why Delaying the Smartphone Matters

The "Wait Until 8th" movement—a pledge to delay smartphone ownership until at least 8th grade—is gaining massive traction. Why? Because the science on screen time is becoming impossible to ignore.

1. Protecting the Developing Brain

Pediatric neurologists have warned that excessive screen time overstimulates the visual cortex (processing images) at the expense of the auditory cortex (language and listening). Smartphones train kids to scan and scroll; landlines train them to listen and speak. This auditory focus is crucial for developing nuance, empathy, and complex language skills.

2. The End of the "Zombie" Trance

We have all seen it: a child so absorbed in a screen they don't hear you call their name. This is the dopamine loop. A landline is a "utility" tool—you use it to communicate, and then you hang up. It doesn't gamify your child's attention.

3. Better Sleep Hygiene

Blue light from screens suppresses melatonin, the hormone that tells our bodies to sleep. Having a smartphone in a child's bedroom is a recipe for insomnia. A landline stays in the kitchen or hallway, ensuring the bedroom remains a sanctuary for rest.

4. Safety and Location Accuracy

While cell GPS is good, it isn't perfect. A landline is hardwired to a specific address. If a child dials 911 from a landline, dispatchers know exactly where they are instantly, even if the child is too panicked to speak.

How to Get a Landline with Your Internet Provider

Most modern "landlines" are actually VoIP (Voice over IP), meaning they run through your internet connection rather than the old copper wires. This makes them easy to bundle with your current internet plan.

Here is how to set it up with the "Big Four."

1. Xfinity (Comcast)

Xfinity offers Xfinity Voice, which is digital home phone service.

• How to order: Log into your Xfinity account and look for "Bundle" offers. Adding Voice often only costs $10-$20/month extra.

• The Setup: You don’t need a technician. Your Xfinity Wireless Gateway (modem) likely already has telephone ports on the back.

• Instructions:

  1. Locate the port labeled Tel 1 on the back of your Xfinity Gateway.

  2. Plug your phone’s cord directly into that port.

  3. Wait for the Tel 1 light on the modem to turn solid. You now have a dial tone.

2. AT&T (Fiber or Internet)

AT&T’s service is usually called AT&T Phone (formerly U-verse Voice).

• How to order: Add "Digital Home Phone" to your AT&T Fiber plan via the myAT&T app.

• The Setup: It runs through your AT&T Wi-Fi Gateway.

• Instructions:

  1. Find the port on your gateway labeled Phone Lines 1 & 2.

  2. Connect your phone.

  3. Pro Tip: If you want phones in other rooms, you don't need to run wires. Just buy a cordless phone system (see below) where the main base plugs into the modem, and the satellite handsets can be placed anywhere in the house with a regular power outlet.

3. Verizon Fios

Verizon offers Fios Digital Voice.

• How to order: Add it to your "Mix & Match" plan online.

• The Setup: This connects to your Optical Network Terminal (ONT) or your Fios Router, depending on your specific installation.

• Instructions:

  1. Look at your Fios Router. There is a phone port on the back.

  2. Plug your phone in.

  3. If you don’t get a dial tone, the active port might be on the ONT (the white box usually installed in your garage, basement, or closet). You may need to plug the phone directly into the ONT’s phone port.

4. Spectrum

Spectrum Voice is a straightforward add-on.

• How to order: Call or add "Voice" via the Spectrum portal.

• The Setup: Uses the Voice 1 port on the back of the Spectrum modem.

• Instructions:

  1. Plug the phone cord into Voice 1.

  2. If you have a separate router and modem, make sure you are plugging into the modem (the box connected to the wall cable outlet), not the Wi-Fi router.

The Best Landline Phones for 2026

If you are going to get a landline, you might as well get a good one. Here are the top picks available on Amazon, from high-tech blockers to fun retro styles.

1. The Reliable Workhorse: VTech CS6719-2 DECT 6.0

Best for: Families who want coverage in multiple rooms. This is the gold standard for modern landlines. It’s affordable, durable, and comes with two handsets. You plug the main base into your modem, and the second handset can go in your child's room or the playroom without needing a phone jack—just a power outlet.

• Why we love it: Caller ID, Intercom (call your kids for dinner from the kitchen!), and massive battery life.

• Get it here: Buy on Amazon

2. The "Cool Factor" Phone: iSoHo Trimline Corded Phone

Best for: Getting kids excited about the phone. Make the landline a novelty! This retro-styled phone looks great on a kitchen counter. Because it’s corded, it works even during a power outage (provided your modem has a battery backup). It has that satisfying "clack" when you hang up.

• Why we love it: No batteries required, retro aesthetic, simple to use.

• Get it here: Buy on Amazon

3. The Nuisance Blocker: Panasonic KX-TGF352N

Best for: Screening spam calls. One worry parents have is spam callers reaching their kids. This Panasonic model has a dedicated "Call Block" button and advanced screening features that filter out robocalls so your kids only talk to Grandma, not telemarketers.

• Why we love it: Baby monitor built-in, noise reduction, and heavy-duty spam blocking.

• Get it here: Buy on Amazon

4. The Emergency Line: VTech Corded Phone with Big Buttons

Best for: Pure simplicity and safety. If this phone is strictly for emergencies and talking to parents, get this. It’s wall-mountable, has huge buttons, and no complex menus to navigate. It is a "pickup and dial" device.

• Why we love it: Programmable speed dial buttons (you can put a sticker with "Mom" and "Dad" on them).

• Get it here: Buy on Amazon

The Bottom Line

Delaying a smartphone doesn't mean disconnecting your child. It means connecting them intentionally. By installing a landline, you give them the tools to communicate and be independent, while protecting their childhood from the scroll.

Some of the links in this guide are affiliate links. This means that if you choose to make a purchase through them, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support ModemGuides.com and allows us to continue creating free, high-quality technical guides.