Latest news with #TheBetterPhoneProject
Gulf Today
15-03-2025
- Gulf Today
556m children could be at risk of being contacted by strangers online: Research
More than half of children have been regularly contacted online by someone they don't know, new research from HMD and Perspectus Global has revealed.1 One in three children has been asked to take conversations to private messaging apps, and nearly 40% have been exposed to harmful online content, including explicit or violent material. The results have emerged from a global survey of 25,000 children and adults in the UK, US, Germany, India, Australia and UAE. When the figure is extrapolated and combined with the latest UN Global population data, it is estimated some 556 million children could be at risk of being contacted by strangers online through their smartphones. These findings highlight an urgent need for change. For too long, parents have faced a difficult choice: either hand their kids a fully-fledged adult smartphone—with all the risks of unrestricted internet, social media pressure, and digital addiction—or keep them disconnected entirely. It's clear that we need a better way forward. That's why HMD is introducing a new category of phones designed with parents for a younger audience. The first of these, the HMD Fusion X1, will debut at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona—a phone built as a 'first step' into the digital world, designed to give teens independence while ensuring parents have the controls they need for peace of mind. Sanmeet Singh Kochhar, Vice President of HMD Global in the AMEA Region said: "At HMD, we recognise that digital safety is a growing concern for parents and children alike. Our commitment goes beyond just selling phones—we are investing in safer digital experiences that align with the values of families worldwide. The launch of the HMD Fusion X1 is part of our vision to provide secure, responsible technology that empowers children while giving parents peace of mind. The findings from our global study reinforce the urgent need for change, and we are proud to take the lead in shaping a safer digital future." For nearly a year, HMD has worked with thousands of parents through The Better Phone Project, developing real solutions for families. Research found that the average age for a child's first smartphone is 11, yet 54% of parents regret giving their child a smartphone too soon. Concerns include reduced physical activity, poor sleep, and increased exposure to online risks. Now, after engaging with parents and teens across 84 countries, HMD is launching two new devices in 2025, starting with the HMD Fusion X1 – a phone that helps kids build healthy digital habits while keeping them safe online. The UAE-specific research reflects broader global trends. A recent international study of nearly 25,000 parents and children revealed: 51% of children worldwide have been contacted online by strangers. One in three has been encouraged to take conversations to private messaging apps. 56% of kids report being insulted or made to feel small online. 40% have been exposed to harmful explicit or violent content. 52% of children feel addicted to their screens. While regulations are tightening worldwide, including in the UAE, parental control solutions remain critical. HMD is responding by creating safer, smarter technology tailored to families' needs.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Yahoo
Safety-first smartphone for children unveiled
A new smartphone has been unveiled that is designed to keep children safe through extensive built-in parental controls, location tracking and parental approval for messaging and call contacts. Announced by phone maker HMD – the firm behind modern Nokia devices – the Fusion X1 has been created in response to new research from the firm which found that more than half of children had been contacted online by strangers. The study, which included a survey of 25,000 children and adults in the UK, US, Germany, India, Australia and the UAE also found that one in three children had been encouraged to take conversations to private platforms, 40% of children had been sent sexual or violent content and 52% of children felt they were addicted to their screens. In response to this, and ongoing concerns about the impact of the digital world on the physical and mental well-being of young people, HMD's child-safe phone contains controls that allows parents to decide when and if social media apps are accessible. The built-in controls all include parental approval for contacts for messaging and calls, a location-tracking feature which enables parents to receive alerts when children leave designated safe areas, and a 'stay focused' mode which can block app access during school hours or bedtime to reduce distractions. The features have been developed in partnership with Norwegian tech firm Xplora, who make child-safe smartwatches, and are powered by an Xplora subscription, which is integrated into the operating system of the phone. HMD said the aim of the device was to provide parents with an alternative to the dilemma many parents currently face, which is to either give their child a fully-fledged smartphone and the more unrestricted internet access that comes with it, or to keep their child unconnected. The phone maker has committed to launching two devices in 2025 as part of The Better Phone Project – a year-long scheme which has seen the firm work with parents and experts on what to include in a child-friendly device. 'Smartphones aren't just tech – they shape childhoods, family dynamics, and society itself,' Lars Silberbauer, HMD's chief marketing officer said. 'Few companies are building solutions with children and parents in mind. We are working with parents to do exactly that. 'The Better Phone Project is proof that change is possible when families, not corporations, lead the conversation.' In addition, HMD has confirmed that it will begin rolling out a real-time harm protection feature to its phones built with British cybersecurity firm SafeToNet. It will use AI-powered tools to automatically spot and block harmful content before it reaches the user, HMD said. 'This is about giving parents real choices. The HMD Fusion X1 with Xplora and technology planned with SafeToNet are just the start,' Mr Silberbauer said. '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.' New, dedicated phones for young users are becoming increasingly common. Last year, US firm Pinwheel launched its child-safe smartphone in the UK for the first time, which places a special parent-controlled operating system on top of the existing software of a Samsung or Google smartphone.
