A special smartphone has been launched to ensure the safety of children.
A new smartphone has just been launched, specifically designed to protect children with parental control features, real-time location tracking, and call and message preview permissions, giving parents greater peace of mind when their children use it.
Accordingly, HMD, the phone manufacturer behind modern Nokia devices, has officially launched the Fusion X1, a new smartphone designed to address growing concerns about online safety for children.
This product was developed based on research by HMD, which showed that more than half of children have been contacted online by strangers, raising concerns about the digital environment for young users.
The study, conducted on 25,000 children and adults in six countries including the UK, the US, Germany, India, Australia, and the UAE, revealed several alarming realities. According to the study, one in three children had been drawn into conversations on private platforms; 40% of children had been exposed to pornographic or violent content; and 52% admitted to feeling addicted to their phone screens.
To address these risks and protect children's mental and physical health in the digital environment, Fusion X1 is equipped with a range of robust parental control features.
Parents can set limits on social media access, approve contact lists before their children can text or call, and use location tracking to receive notifications if their children leave a designated safe zone.
Additionally, the "maintain focus" mode restricts app access during study or sleep time, minimizing distractions from your phone.
The Fusion X1 was developed through a collaboration between HMD and Xplora – a Norwegian technology company specializing in safe smartwatches for children. The device also comes with an Xplora subscription, integrated directly into the operating system, providing a safer and more controlled experience.
HMD emphasizes that their goal is not just to create a phone for children, but also to provide a practical solution for parents who are faced with the dilemma of either letting their children use a fully featured smartphone with unlimited internet access, or denying them connectivity entirely.
Fusion X1 strikes a balance between those two options, allowing children to interact with and access technology in a safer environment.
Looking ahead, HMD is committed to launching two more new devices in 2025 as part of its "Better Phone Project," a year-long initiative in which the company collaborates with parents and experts to develop a child-friendly, safe device that still meets connectivity needs.
Lars Silberbauer, Chief Marketing Officer of HMD, emphasized the importance of smartphones not only in the field of technology but also in how they impact the lives of children, families, and society as a whole.
Silberbauer also pointed out that very few companies truly focus on developing solutions that are suitable for both children and parents. HMD is striving to change that by working closely with parents to build a safer technology ecosystem for young children.
In addition, HMD has confirmed a significant step forward in protecting children online by soon deploying real-time protection features on its devices, thanks to a partnership with the British cybersecurity company SafeToNet.
This technology uses advanced artificial intelligence (AI) tools to automatically detect and block harmful content before it reaches children, helping to minimize the risks from online threats.
Silberbauer asserted that HMD's mission is to give parents real choices to control and protect their children in the digital world.
"The HMD Fusion X1, along with the collaboration from Xplora and the upcoming SafeToNet technology, is just the beginning. Together, we are advancing a future where children can access technology more safely, while also empowering parents with effective tools to proactively monitor and protect their children," Silberbauer added.
The trend of developing smartphones specifically for children is becoming increasingly popular. Over the past year, several technology companies have begun focusing on this market. Notably, Pinwheel – an American technology company – has launched its first line of child-safe smartphones in the UK.
This product incorporates a special parental-controlled operating system, running on hardware from major brands like Samsung and Google, allowing children to connect securely while remaining under parental supervision.
With the increasing participation of businesses in this field, the future of smartphones for children promises to be even safer and more optimized, offering a balance between connectivity needs and protection for the younger generation.