HMD and Parents Are Taking Action and have co-created new phones with enhanced safety

DUBAI, UAE, March 13, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ — 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.

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:

“At HMD, we recognize 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.”

Parents Led the Way—HMD Just Followed
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.

HMD Fusion X1: A Smarter First Phone
The HMD Fusion X1 is developed in collaboration with Xplora, a Norwegian leader in children’s smartwatch technology, bringing advanced parental controls to smartphones. Key safety features include:
● Parental Controls – Integrated deeply into the operating system for seamless management.
● Social Media & Browser Restrictions – Parents decide when (or if) these features are enabled.
● Safe Calls & Messaging – Only pre-approved contacts can communicate with the child.
● GPS Tracking & Safety Zones – Parents receive alerts if their child leaves designated safe areas.
● Stay Focused Mode – Blocks access during school hours or bedtime to reduce distractions.

A Growing Crisis: The Need for Change
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.

Technology Alone Won’t Solve This—But It’s a Start

The reality is that no single device can fully protect children from the challenges of growing up in a digital world. That’s why HMD is going further with its plan of integrating real-time protection against harmful content with SafeToNet.

Planned to launch this summer on HMD phones, HMD will be the first mobile provider to use this technology, developed in partnership with SafeToNet, which provides on-device AI-powered protection—automatically detecting and blocking harmful content before it reaches the user, without relying on external apps that can be bypassed.

HMD believes that empowering kids with the right tech at the right time is crucial. The Better Phone Project isn’t just about creating devices with enhanced safety—it’s about challenging the status quo.

About HMD
We are HMD, Human Mobile Devices. We start by listening—really listening—to what people need. Some want a break from digital overload, while others simply need an affordable, reliable way to stay connected. We believe everyone should have access to great mobile technology, whether that means stepping back or staying in touch.

We make phones that are thoughtfully designed, made to go the distance, and packed with the everyday features that matter most. They’re easier to repair, built with digital well-being in mind, and always simple, secure, and affordable—without any unnecessary fuss. Stay tuned at www.hmd.com.

About Xplora
Xplora is a platform and services company and an industry leader in the market for children’s smartwatches. Xplora was founded to give children a safe onboarding to the digital life and a better balance between screen time and physical activity. Xplora’s vision is to enable children around the world to experience how their everyday activities can create value and make a positive change in the world. The company is headquartered in Norway with operations in leading European markets. Xplora is listed on Euronext Growth under the ticker symbol XPLRA.

About Safe to Net
The internet should lift children up, not put them at risk. SafeToNet is making that a reality.Our groundbreaking technology, HarmBlock, is the first of its kind – built into devices to stop harmful content before it can ever reach a child. By preventing cameras from capturing explicit images, we tackle online threats at the source, protecting children in real time.

We work with industry leaders, policymakers, and tech creators to make ethical AI the standard, ensuring every child can explore the digital world safely and freely.

This is more than protection. It’s a movement. Be part of it at www.safetonet.com.

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