Girl goes viral after getting pink princess landline phone for Christmas instead of smartphone

A heartwarming Christmas gift has taken the internet by storm, with a mother's decision to give her daughter a landline phone instead of a smartphone going viral. Meg Kate McAlarney shared the moment her 8-year-old daughter, Maddie, unwrapped a pink princess-themed landline phone, a gift chosen by her grandmother.

McAlarney, appearing on 'The Story,' revealed she is part of a group of parents in Illinois who have made a pact to delay giving their children smartphones until at least the eighth grade. This initiative, known as the 'Wait Until 8th' pledge, encourages a return to simpler forms of communication.

The video of Maddie's joyous reaction to the vintage-style phone has charmed viewers worldwide. "I think it's great," McAlarney told Fox News. "They use technology in school. They're on iPads all the time. So, they come home, they can call their friends on their landlines, and they're not distracted by apps and social media and all of that."

McAlarney explained that the landline allows her daughter to communicate with friends without the constant distractions of apps and social media prevalent on smartphones. She also noted that her son, at 10 years old, received a smartwatch due to his need for communication while traveling to and from school independently.

"So, that's what works for us. And she was itching for a phone and this tin can came out, and we thought this would just be, like, the perfect thing. So, she can talk to her friends, and she's communicating, but she's not on a smart device," she added.

The story comes amid a broader discussion about children's screen time and social media usage. A recent Fox News poll indicated that nearly two-thirds of voters and parents favor banning social media for children under 16 and keeping cellphones out of classrooms.

Dr. Jonathan Haidt, co-author of "The Amazing Generation," advocates for parents to encourage screen-free, engaging childhood activities. "It’s not just about taking away the phones," he stated. "It’s about giving your kids a fun, exciting childhood with lots of play — outdoor play, unsupervised play with other kids."