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HMD and parents take action, team up to create new, more secure phones

02. 03. 2025 Sunday / By: Robert Denes / Reviews / Exact time: BST / Print this page

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New research from HMD and Perspectus Global has found that more than half of children are regularly picked up online by someone they don’t know.¹ One in three children were asked to chat on private messaging apps and nearly 40% were exposed to harmful online content, including sexual or violent material.

The findings come from a global survey of 25,000 children and adults across the UK, US, Germany, India, Australia and the UAE. When extrapolated and combined with the latest global population figures from the UN, it is estimated that around 556 million children are at risk of being contacted by strangers via their smartphones.

For too long, parents have been faced with a difficult choice: either give their children a fully-fledged adult smartphone - with all the risks of unlimited internet, social media pressure and digital addiction - or cut them off completely. It’s clear we need a better way forward.

That’s why HMD is introducing a new category of phones designed with parents in mind for a younger audience. The first of these, the HMD Fusion X1, is making its debut at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona - a phone built as a “first step” into the digital world, designed to give teenagers independence while giving parents the peace of mind they need.

A 2024 global survey of 10,000 parents found that more than half regretted giving their child a smartphone too early, citing poor sleep, less exercise and reduced real-world social life. The same study found that children got their first smartphone at an average age of 11 – but 54% of parents wished they had waited longer.

Parents asked for better options – Now, after working with parents and teens in 84 countries, HMD is launching two new devices in 2025, starting with the HMD Fusion X1, which aims to help teens develop healthy digital habits while providing greater protection.

The HMD Fusion X1 is the first step towards a more balanced relationship with technology. Developed in collaboration with Xplora, the Norwegian market leader in children's smartwatch technology, the game puts parents in control while empowering teens with age-appropriate digital freedom.

HMD will be the first mobile operator to develop this technology in collaboration with SafeToNet, which provides AI-driven protection on the device - automatically detecting and blocking harmful content before it reaches the user, without relying on third-party apps that can bypass it.

HMD believes in providing children with the right technology at the right time. The Better Phone Project is not just about creating safer devices, but also about challenging the status quo.

"Smartphones are not just technology – they shape childhood, family dynamics and society itself. Few companies build solutions with children and parents in mind. That’s exactly what we’re working with parents to do. The Better Phone Project proves that change is possible when families – not companies – lead the conversation.

This is about giving parents real choices. The technology we’ve designed with HMD Fusion X1 Xplora and SafeToNet is just the beginning. Together, we’re pushing for a future where children can use technology more safely and parents have the tools for added protection and peace of mind.”

Lars Silberbauer, CMO of HMD, on why this matters. "At Xplora, our mission is to safely engage children in the digital world. As the market leader in kids' smartwatches, we have long been working to extend our trusted parental controls to smartphones.

Collaborating with HMD is a perfect match to ensure that tweens and teens have a safer first smartphone experience. With early exposure to social media and growing concerns about inappropriate content, we believe it is crucial to offer safe solutions that prioritize children's well-being and safety."

— Sten Kirkback, Founder and CEO, Xplora Technologies AS

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