A new smartphone aimed at enhancing child safety has been unveiled by HMD Global, the company known for modern Nokia devices. The Fusion X1, equipped with extensive parental controls, location tracking, and restrictions on communication, addresses increasing concerns regarding children's safety in the digital realm. This announcement follows research indicating that over half of children have had online contact with strangers.
The survey, which included responses from 25,000 children and adults across the UK, US, Germany, India, Australia, and the UAE, revealed alarming statistics: one in three children reported being encouraged to transition conversations to private platforms, 40% had received sexual or violent content, and 52% admitted to feeling addicted to their screens.
As the concerns regarding internet exposure and its effects on young people's physical and mental well-being grow, HMD's Fusion X1 offers a comprehensive solution for parents. The device includes parental approval features for contacts used in messaging and calls, a location tracking system that sends alerts if children leave designated safe areas, and a “stay focused” mode designed to block app access during school hours or at bedtime to minimise distractions.
This initiative is a collaborative effort with Norwegian tech firm Xplora, known for their production of child-safe smartwatches, and the phone is supported by an Xplora subscription integrated into its operating system. HMD aims to present a middle ground for parents who often face the dilemma of providing a full smartphone with unrestricted internet access or opting for a lack of connectivity altogether.
Lars Silberbauer, HMD's chief marketing officer, commented on the implications of smartphones on childhood and family dynamics, stating, “Smartphones aren’t just tech – they shape childhoods, family dynamics, and society itself. Few companies are building solutions with children and parents in mind. We are working with parents to do exactly that.”
The Fusion X1’s launch is part of HMD’s broader initiative, The Better Phone Project, which seeks to develop child-friendly devices through collaboration with parents and experts. The company has committed to introducing two additional devices in 2025 as part of this year-long scheme.
In addition to the Fusion X1, HMD announced plans to roll out a real-time harm protection feature in collaboration with British cybersecurity firm SafeToNet. This feature will deploy AI-powered tools to automatically identify and block harmful content before it reaches users, adding another layer of safety for children.
“This is about giving parents real choices,” Mr Silberbauer continued. “The HMD Fusion X1 with Xplora and technology planned with SafeToNet are just the start. Together, we’re pushing for a future where kids are empowered to use technology in a safer way, and parents have the tools for added protection and peace of mind.”
The launch of dedicated child-friendly devices is becoming more prevalent, as evidenced by the recent introduction of the Pinwheel smartphone in the UK, which operates on a parent-controlled system layered over existing smartphone software by Samsung or Google.
Source: Noah Wire Services