[light_hue_1]

Parents are aware. This is a horrible solution.

What's going to happen immediately is that kids with equivalent phones will compare, realize that one has a lot of restrictions and the other doesn't, and it becomes a nightmare. They know that all you need to do is unlock it for them.

It's the same mental distinction between "For $200 we'll install rear seat warmers in your Tesla" and "For $200 we'll 'unlock' the already-present rear seat warmers" (that's the only hardware unlock I've ever paid for and I'm still bitter 7 years later).

[choo-t]

> What's going to happen immediately is that kids with equivalent phones will compare, realize that one has a lot of restrictions and the other doesn't, and it becomes a nightmare. They know that all you need to do is unlock it for them.

Don't you think they will as easily realize their newly purchased TinCan is far more restricted than the 10 year old phone theirs friends received from their parents/siblings?

[M95D]

It's not restricted. It's less capable. Entirely different thing. And they'll view it as a completely different device for different purpose (voice calls vs. doom scrolling).

[choo-t]

Specifically designed to be less capable is the same as being restricted. It's purpose is explicitly to restrict the user communication to some predefined setting by a third party (the parent and company behind it) and the user is well aware of that, as this e-waste cost as much as a cheap or second hand smartphone.

[nkrisc]

It's not "restricted", it's designed to serve a different purpose. A bicycle is not a "restricted" car.

[ForHackernews]

The jukebox I got for my basement is not a restricted Spotify-enabled smart speaker. It's a different device that does something different.

[choo-t]

First, you got it for yourself, so you chose to use a jukebox (or in other words : restrict your listening to specific titles on physical media) instead to impose it to other, which make a big difference in what people see as a restrictions(instead of a choice, which is self inflicted).

Chosing a Tin Can is obviously to restrict your kid usage of communication, it's the nature of the purchase of the device.

[goku12]

First of all, comparing a locked-down smartphone with a fully capable smartphone is different from comparing a smartphone with a 'landline phone'. That's like apples to apples compared to apples to oranges.

Secondly as far as I understand, you need the same type of phone at both ends to communicate with each other. Looks like the tin-can and other similar devices are designed to talk only to each other. While that is a restriction, it eliminates the avenue for a comparison. The friends are all on equal ground.

Thirdly, you're talking as if parental controls, especially unequal parental controls are a bad thing. Parental controls aren't like government or corporate restrictions. There is a necessary assumption that parents act in the best interests of the kids, unlike the other two.

Some parents are irresponsible and may allow their kids to consume alcohol or drugs. Will you allow your kids to do it too, because it may end up in comparisons? You have to talk to your kids about why that is a bad idea. It's wrong to assume that kids won't listen at all. Don't most kids refrain from drinking, smoking and driving till they come of age?

If this sort of control seems unfair or unethical to you, you're basically exposing your kids to serious dangers. And brain rot is a very serious problem that HN doesn't talk enough about. It ruins even the seniors. But for kids, it wreaks havoc with their IQ and personality.

[ForHackernews]

Choosing a Tin Can for a child that doesn't have a phone isn't restricting them, it's empowering them with a new form of communication to chat to their friends. Getting my 10 year old a bicycle instead of a car isn't a restriction.

[eloisant]

That's why I'm thinking of getting my kid (who doesn't have a phone yet) a Unihertz Jelly Star.

https://www.unihertz.com/fr-fr/products/jelly-star

- Because it's small, it doesn't look like a regular smartphone

- The small size would make it impractical for social media/scrolling/videos even if I were to unlock it

...but compared to a dumbphone, I can still allow Spotify and their school management software so they can access their schedule and homework

[sh4rks]

That looks very ugly. Any kid above the age of 12 would reject that.

[qmr]

Nightmare? Maybe you need to work on telling your children no.

Instead of being bitter for 7 years perhaps you should not have purchased such an absurd thing.