‘Baby whisperer’ Tizzie Hall looks to landlines to combat phone addiction

As more and more parents fight to delay social media use and reduce phone addiction, the regression to a landline – or the slightly less nostalgic shared family mobile – is gaining popularity.

Cillian, Ruby, Ciaran and Ivy. Tizzie Hall is one of many mums reintroducing a landline – or family mobile phone in the living room – in a move to make social media less accessible to her kids. Picture: Alan Barber

Tizzie Hall is one of many Geelong parents reintroducing the long lost landline in an effort to manage her children’s phone use.

For decades, the landline was a staple in Aussie homes, but it has since become a distant memory as mobiles become the norm among most teens.

But for the Irish-born, Geelong-based best-selling author, Ms Hall – better known to her audience as ‘the baby whisperer’ – her family’s need for a home-base mobile phone is daily.

The move, she said, has helped her protect her children from phone addictions, and helps her monitor who they are speaking with.

Tizzie Hall with her son Cillian. Tizzie is one of many mums re-introducing a landline - or family mobile phone in the livingroom - in a move to make social media less accessible to her kids. Picture: Alan Barber

“As a parent it’s not our job to be your friends, it’s our job to protect you,” she said.

“It’s easier if kids give the landline number because then what happens is, friends phone and then you answer and then they can take it to their bedroom.

“They can still talk in private but you know who they’re talking to.”

But perhaps surprisingly, she says the landline idea has been met with enthusiasm, and her 15-year-old son Cillian is even going one step further – he wants to bring back phone boxes.

“I asked him last night. What are your thoughts on the landline? And he said he loves it but it would be better if the old-fashioned phone boxes were everywhere as he doesn’t want to carry a mobile phone,” she said.

“He’s done the research.

“He knows how bad it is for his brain.

In a short form documentary Cillian made last year, he criticised the “gambling-like” social media algorithm.

“It’s only purpose is to keep you on as long as possible,” Cillian said.

“Your entire life gets sucked away and you are left scrolling and scrolling.

“It’s not an accident – it’s by design.”

Ms Hall said for families looking to introduce a landline, a home-based mobile phone is a good starter’s option, as children can also take them as a safety measure when out solo or with friends, without needing their own phone.

“Only my 17-year-old has a phone and restricted social media,” she said.

“My 15-year-old, Cillian, doesn’t have social media, nor do any of his friends.

“The 10-year-old doesn't have a phone at all.”

Ms Hall said she had given her eldest a phone when he started after school sports, following pressure from teachers.

“I don’t think it’s the teacher’s responsibility … but we’ve regretted it ever since,” she said.

Research by Human Mobile Devices (HMD), conducted with more than 12,000 children across six countries including Australia, found more than half of Aussie kids have been bullied or belittled online, almost half of children using social media have been regularly contacted online by strangers and one in five have strangers try and move children to an encrypted chat.

More than half of children surveyed admit to being addicted to their phones.

In response to their research, HMD launched a new phone with child protection software as part of its ‘Better Phone Project’.

A Telstra spokeswoman said the company is seeing an increase in Aussie parents reintroducing landlines as a way for kids to stay connected before introducing smartphones.

“Many parents are turning to landlines as a way to foster confidence in verbal communication and responsible phone use,” the spokesman said.

“It helps children develop key communication skills, strengthens family connections, and provides an added layer of security in emergencies.”

Originally published as ‘Baby whisperer’ Tizzie Hall looks to landlines to combat phone addiction