The Kid-Friendly 'Landline': Tin Can's Overwhelming Popularity

Tin Can, a unique 'landline' phone created specifically for children, has encountered unexpected challenges due to its immense popularity.

The device, which generated considerable attention, experienced technical difficulties when its services crashed on Christmas, leaving many young users disappointed as they couldn't use their newly received gifts.

The company has proactively reached out to customers multiple times, offering updates on how they are addressing the issues experienced during the holiday season.

Chet Kittelson, the founder of Tin Can, conveyed to Business Insider that the high call volume on Christmas Day surged more than a hundredfold compared to the beginning of the month, which affected customers' ability to set up their devices or make calls successfully. Despite extensive preparations, they couldn't fully anticipate the spike in demand.

While most functionalities have been reinstated, some users might still face sporadic call quality and reliability issues; restoring full service remains their top priority.

Understanding the Popularity of Tin Can Among Parents

Introduced in autumn 2024, Tin Can captured widespread interest, notably among parenting communities on Facebook. The device is an eye-catching, corded phone priced at $75. Users can make free calls to others using Tin Can, while a $10 monthly fee enables calls beyond the network, similar to internet-based phone services. This structure resonates with parents because it enables them to establish a closed communication loop for their kids.

Maria Pahuja from Richmond, Virginia, reported a smooth installation experience on Christmas Eve, which unfortunately turned into a nonfunctional device by Christmas morning.

She highlighted that at times there was a dial tone with no ability to connect calls consistently—a frustrating experience for her kids.

Why Tin Can is Winning Parents Over

Conz Preti from Business Insider expressed her admiration for Tin Can after witnessing her kids independently coordinate a snow day playdate using the phone, eliminating the need for parents to facilitate communication.

Several parents find Tin Can appealing as it offers children, who aren't yet ready for smartphones, a chance to comfortably keep in touch with their friends. Unlike traditional landlines, Tin Can operates on a WiFi network and permits parents to configure it to communicate only with approved contacts while scheduling silent hours and limiting usage time.

The Vision Behind Tin Can: A Parent-Inspired Initiative

The company emerged from the shared aspiration of Chet Kittelson, Max Blumen, and Graeme Davies to devise something meaningful for their children. Tin Can successfully secured $3.5 million in investments from Pioneer Square Ventures, Newfund Capital, Mother Ventures, and Solid Foundation.

By late summer 2025, Kittelson revealed to Business Insider that they had managed to sell tens of thousands of the devices, although updated sales numbers were not available.

Despite the technical disruptions, parents like Joy Engel view it as an educational opportunity, teaching kids patience and responsibility.

Engel appreciated the company's transparency and decision to forgo charges during the service outages, emphasizing the importance of teaching children that immediate satisfaction isn't always feasible.

Currently, Tin Can is in high demand, with orders on hold until April. However, this delay isn't due to production limitations but rather a strategy to manage service rollouts effectively.