Landline alternatives for kids without cell phones?
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Anonymous
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Looking for any input on how to set up some sort of emergency phone at home. My kids do not have cell phones yet, but are reaching the age where I should be able to leave them for short periods and I’m not comfortable doing that if they don’t have a method of communication. Our house does not have a landline and from what I hear most phone companies won’t even service them anymore so it doesn’t seem like getting one is an option.
Can anyone recommend what is essentially a landline phone or operates like one? I feel like there has got to be a demand for this, but I am not surfacing anything. i’ve used tracphones myself in the past and they were very unreliable so that’s not the route. I would like to go. |
Anonymous
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Phone companies are trying to phase out the copper wire land lines. You can still get (easily) a household phone that plugs into the wall, it just runs on the same wires as your internet.
We have one for 911 reasons, but my kid also has a kid smart watch. We pay per month on our cell phone plan and she can call us or 911 (no one else). |
Anonymous
| Straight talk home phone is $15 a month |
Anonymous
| We have an Ooma, it's $6.95/month |
Anonymous
| If you're an Apple family and have an iPad or even an old iPhone, they can FaceTime you from that. |
Anonymous
This is true, but I don’t think you can call 911 from an iPad |
Anonymous
If it’s connected to wi-fi, why would you not be able to? |
Anonymous
| We bundle a landline into our internet package for this reason. |
Anonymous
| You should be able to order a copper (POTS) line from your local telecom monopoly. Start with that. If the balk, file a PUC complaint. This is normally a tarriffed service that has to be provided if the customer demands it and is willing to pay for it. None of the IP-based services will be as reliable. |
Anonymous
| I use the Verizon gizmo watch for this. |
Anonymous
Our DS had a Gizmo. It was great. If you have cameras or an alexa/google home/... they can call from that. |
Anonymous
Verizon still sells POTS, but it might be fiber between the house and the central office, instead of copper. Standard wired phones will work. |
Anonymous
| Magic jack, but still have a cell. |
Anonymous
| We have Magic Jack. There is more than one way to set it up but I have mine connected to our internet router and then connected to the phone. |
Anonymous
| We used ipad/facetime then a gizmo. |