Twenty years ago, before everyone walked around with a device in their pocket, kids used to call each other on a landline—often tethered to the kitchen in their home. It was a simpler time, when parents didn’t have to worry (nearly as much) about a potential predator contacting their child.

Nowadays, things are different, which is why recently launched, Seattle-based Tin Can is offering a new way for kids to communicate. The company sells colorful, old-school-style, internet-connected phones that allow users to call other Tin Can devices for free, or, if they have a parent’s approval, a small set of outside numbers for $9.99 a month.

“Kids get the independence of being able to pick up the phone and call a friend whenever they want,” says Chet Kittleson, CEO of Tin Can, who explains that the idea for the company came partially from a group of parents joking one afternoon about managing every aspect of their children’s lives. “Parents get peace of mind knowing exactly who’s on the other end. There’s no social media, no screen. It slows things down and makes connection feel intentional again.”