This 'Dumb' Phone That Can Only Call Or Text Is Exactly What Kids Need

The Light 2 has no apps, only call or text

There’s a lot of talk among parents and experts about the right time to get kids a phone. And of course, in these modern times, a phone means a smartphone. There are no longer the same options easily available for a regular old talk and text phone, so plenty of parents resign themselves to giving their kids a phone with far more capability than they need so they can call for a ride home from soccer practice.

Enter, the Light Phone 2. The most beautiful “dumb” phone you’ll ever see.

According to Business Insider, the goal of the Light phone, created by Brooklyn-based startup Light, is to shed the smartphone and enjoy the world around you. In 2015, their first version debuted and it only allowed the user to make calls and tell time. The new version, the Light 2, can make calls, tell time, has a speaker and headphone jack, and most importantly, it can send and receive texts.

Basically, the only things your child should need in a phone.

It has a sleek, smartphone-y look to it, so your kid won’t whine that they have a lame flip phone (though I will always have a soft spot for my Razr and LG flip) and you won’t be nervous about all the damn apps they can download on a smartphone. And the apps were Light’s whole reason for creating this drastically pared-down communication device. Most people spend hours every day sucked into their smartphone apps, and while this phone was not created specifically for kids, it’s certainly a great choice for parents who want the ability to talk to their child whenever without giving them a way to get addicted to Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, and Twitter.

My daughter is 10 years old and claims she’s “one of the only kids” without a phone. I feel her pain, but not enough to hand over a piece of Steve Jobs’ genius and the ability for her to tune the world out in favor of apps. I’m sure there’s plenty of productive reasons for her to have a smartphone, but I’m not really feeling like any are solid enough to justify it. But for her to be able to text me at a sleepover and let me know she’s OK or tell me when swimming practice ends early so I can pick her up? I’m all about that.

The Light 2 is currently being funded through IndieGoGo and for $250, you could get the phone and also be in on the design process. There are also price packages for couples or families, which might not be the worst idea in these ridiculous overly connected times. I know I have trouble enough leaving my devices alone in favor of time spent doing more productive shit — which is why I have no interest in getting my kids similarly hooked.