Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube | iHeartRadioIf you want to get your kids off screens this summer, you aren't alone. Along with a growing nostalgia for '90s tech like point-and-shoot cameras and MP3 players, parents are increasingly turning to Wi-Fi landlines to avoid smart phones. These Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phones look and feel like old-school corded phones but run over your home internet connection.This episode, Wirecutter baby and kid editor Rachel Hurn explains why families are embracing these devices. She shares how her own Wi-Fi phone, a Tin Can, has given her eight-year-old independence to set up playdates and created an environment for undistracted conversations.For more ideas on getting your kids off their screens, check out Rachel’s article 8 Ways to Create a “Light-Tech” Summer for Your Kids.This episode covers:Why parents are returning to landlines: Phones like the Tin Can delay the need for smartphones and allow kids to have more independence and less distraction. How VoIP phones differ from traditional landlines: Instead of using physical copper wires, VoIP phones make calls using your internet connection.Kid-friendly safety features: These phones feature controlled contact lists to prevent spam calls and allow parents to set quiet hours. Competitors and costs: Although we’ve only tested the Tin Can, other companies (including Ooma, Pinwheel, and Ring Ring Club) sell similar devices. These phones typically cost between $60 and $100, and subscriptions for added features (like a controlled contact list) typically cost around $10 per month..The limits of Wi-Fi: Because these phones rely entirely on your Wi-Fi connection, they won't work during an internet or power outage. Products we recommend:HighlightA Wi-Fi–enabled home phoneTin CanThis plug-in, corded phone is screen-free and designed to let kids communicate with friends and family without a smart device. Demand is high; current orders won’t ship until June.$100 from Tin CanYou can also check out Ooma, Pinwheel, and Ring Ring Club for other kid-friendly Wi-Fi landlines.