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
A new smartphone has been designed to keep children safe through extensive built-in parental controls, location tracking and parental approval for messaging and call contact
HMD has unveiled the Fusion X1 smartphone, aimed at enhancing the safety of children. The launch follows findings from new HMD research, revealing over half of children have been approached by strangers online.
The study, polling 25,000 individuals across the UK, US, Germany, India, Australia, and the UAE, also disclosed that one-third of children were prompted to move conversations onto private channels, while 40% received inappropriate sexual or violent content, and more than half felt hooked on their screens.
In a bid to address the digital dangers facing young users and alleviate concerns about the potential impact on their physical and mental welfare, the Fusion X1 offers comprehensive custody features. Parents can curtail access to social media platforms and implement restrictions on messaging and call contacts.
Additional safety nets include real-time location alerts for parental peace of mind when children exit predefined safe zones and a “stay focused” mode that limits app usage during school hours or bedtime to minimise distractions. In collaboration with Norwegian tech company Xplora, known for their child-safe smartwatches, new features have been developed that hinge on an Xplora subscription and are seamlessly woven into the phone’s operating system.
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 manufacturer is set to release two devices in 2025 as part of The Better Phone Project – an initiative spanning a year where the company has engaged with both parents and specialists to determine what should be included in a child-friendly device. “Smartphones aren’t just tech – they shape childhoods, family dynamics, and society itself,” remarked Lars Silberbauer, HMD’s chief marketing officer.
“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.”
Moreover, HMD has announced plans to roll out a real-time harm protection feature across its phones, developed in partnership with British cybersecurity firm SafeToNet. This feature will employ AI-driven tools to identify and intercept harmful content before it ever reaches the user, according to HMD.
“This is about giving parents real choices. The HMD Fusion X1 with Xplora and technology planned with SafeToNet are just the start,” Mr Silberbauer stated. “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.”
Last year, US company Pinwheel introduced its child-safe smartphone to the UK market, which features a unique parent-controlled operating system layered over the existing software of a Samsung or Google smartphone.