The popular screen-free Tin Can phones, designed for children, have faced significant network issues since Christmas Day, leaving many new users unable to connect. This widespread disruption stems from an unprecedented surge in activations, overwhelming the system and affecting all call services.
For many families seeking a safer, screen-free communication option for their children, Tin Can phones were a highly anticipated Christmas gift. These retro, landline-style devices promised a simple way for kids to connect with friends and family without the complexities and risks of smartphones. However, the holiday cheer quickly turned to frustration as the network buckled under the weight of new activations.
Chet Kittleson, cofounder and CEO of Tin Can, openly admitted the company was “overwhelmed” by the Christmas demand, despite months of preparation. The swift influx of users created instability, impacting both outgoing and incoming calls, and even raising concerns about emergency service access.
The unprecedented surge and its impact
According to a report by Fast Company on January 7, 2026, the network instability has been a persistent problem since Christmas morning. Users across social media platforms like Reddit and Instagram have reported various difficulties, from making and receiving calls to initial account setup. While setup issues have reportedly been resolved, the core problem of unreliable call service persists for many.
Kittleson highlighted the immense challenge of predicting and preparing for such rapid growth. “The growth we experienced literally within an hour was like nothing I’ve been through before,” he told Fast Company. This sudden, massive load test exposed vulnerabilities in the network infrastructure that even extensive pre-launch stress testing could not fully anticipate. The CEO confirmed that all types of calls, including emergency calls to 911, could potentially be affected by the ongoing issues.
In response to the widespread Tin Can phone network issues, the company has pledged not to charge paying customers until the service reliability is fully restored. This measure aims to mitigate frustration among subscribers, though it does not alleviate the immediate problem of children being unable to communicate with their loved ones. Kittleson acknowledged that even his own family has experienced trouble with their Tin Can phone, underscoring the personal impact of the outage.
Navigating rapid scale and market shifts
The appeal of Tin Can devices lies in their promise of a secure, screen-free environment for children. They offer a nostalgic nod to the landline era, allowing kids to stay connected without exposure to spam, scam calls, or the broader internet risks associated with smartphones. This niche market, however, is proving challenging to scale effectively when demand explodes unexpectedly.
The incident serves as a stark reminder for tech startups about the complexities of scaling infrastructure to meet unforeseen user surges, especially during peak seasons like holidays. Ensuring a robust backend is as crucial as the innovative front-end concept. Moreover, the market for children’s communication devices is beginning to heat up. Kids’ device maker Pinwheel announced plans on January 5 to launch a similar product in April, signaling increased competition in this emerging sector.
The ongoing Tin Can phone network issues since Christmas highlight a critical lesson in balancing innovation with operational resilience. While the concept of a safe, screen-free phone for children resonates deeply with parents, the execution requires an infrastructure capable of handling rapid, unpredictable growth. As Tin Can works “around the clock” to restore full service, the incident underscores the intense pressure on new tech ventures to not only innovate but also ensure unwavering reliability, especially when connecting families. The coming months will show how the company recovers and adapts in an increasingly competitive landscape for child-friendly technology.
