If you’ve ever watched a kid try to make an actual phone call, you know it’s rapidly become a lost art. I’ve witnessed my own kids talk into the earpiece (as hilarious as it was ineffective), answer with “what?” instead of “hello,” and hang up before closing the conversation.
Even in 2026, phone skills are still important for personal and professional reasons. It’s become my mission to teach my kids how to use the phone, and I want to pass on what I’ve learned to you. Here are my tips for teaching phone skills to the texting generation.
Because kids need to learn how to do things like take messages for another person, relying on a cell phone for practice isn’t usually enough.
Here are some options for modern-day house phones:
Our kids are always watching, and they are excellent at mimicking adult behavior. Let your child see you taking and making phone calls, texting people, and putting the phone away when it’s appropriate to do so.
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Start with low-pressure calls like grandparents or friends. This allows them to practice with less anxiety.
After they’ve had some practice, ask your child to put in a takeout order or call the pool to find out open swim hours. Just because it can be done on the internet, doesn’t mean it can’t be used to build phone skills instead.
Recently, my son wanted to use his allowance to buy a book. I had him call our neighborhood bookstore to see if it was in stock and then, when it wasn’t, ask them to order it for him. He resisted hard when I proposed the idea, but he really wanted that book, so he did it, and it went great (mostly!).
The thing that helped my son conquer his nerves and call the bookstore? I gave him some language to use when he called and what to say next based on a few possible responses he might get. Then he practiced out loud a few times.
The goal is for kids to make calls without a script, but giving them some tools as they start out is a great way to build these skills.
Most kids simply haven’t seen enough calls to have an innate sense of etiquette when they take or receive phone calls. Review these basics with them:
In addition to etiquette, go over these safety points with your child:
Did you know? Thousands of parents trust BrightCanary to make sure their kids are having safe conversations in their text messages.
Resist the mighty urge to hover and micromanage! Give them tips, help them practice, and provide gentle feedback after, but allow them to fall mightily on their face during the actual call.
Difficulty with auditory processing, lack of visual cues, and the unpredictable nature of answering an unknown call are a few reasons why phone calls can be extra difficult for neurodivergent people. If this is your kiddo, it’s important to be patient, give them plenty of encouragement, and provide them with extra support and coaching as needed.
Even for the texting generation, learning basic phone skills is still important. Provide your child with opportunities to practice, give them tips on basic phone etiquette and safety, and don’t be afraid to let them make mistakes along the way.
Do you know what to do if your child is talking to a predator online? We spoke with an expert — here’s what to do.
