The HMD Fusion X1: the smartphone that teens are looking for and that offers the security parents want.
Are you concerned about the time your child spends in front of the screen? HMD offers its support.
HMD (Human Mobile Devices) has conducted a new study revealing the concerning situation of smartphone addiction among young people. In a survey of 12,000 teenagers, more than half of the participants expressed worry about their relationship with the device, noting that 52% have been contacted by strangers online and 53% have encountered content they would rather not have found, primarily related to sexual or violent themes. Additionally, 56% have witnessed instances of harassment.
Parents are aware of these issues, but current parental control tools, such as screen time tracking apps, can be easily circumvented by teenagers. To combat this, HMD has partnered with smartwatch manufacturer Xplora to launch the "first smartphone for teenagers," the HMD Fusion X1. This new device, which has a conventional look, will provide parents with greater control over their children's mobile experience.
The HMD Fusion X1, slated for release in May with an initial price of £229 (international pricing is yet to be confirmed), will allow parents to remotely enable, disable, or restrict access to specific apps when purchased with a subscription to Xplora. This subscription will include location tracking every 20 seconds, SOS emergency calls, and low battery alerts.
Moreover, the phone will feature a School Mode designed to minimize distractions during class hours by blocking apps and functions chosen by parents. The SafeToNet feature, which employs artificial intelligence to detect and block harmful content before it reaches the user, will begin to be integrated into compatible devices, including the Fusion X1, by the end of the year.
Although some young people may be reluctant to give up so much control to their parents, HMD's findings show that they are increasingly aware of the dangers associated with social media addiction. In this regard, Jean-Francois Baril, founder of HMD, emphasized that the Fusion X1 represents "the phone that teenagers want, with the safety that parents want."
This model will not have a design that makes it look childish, as it is conceived with a more conventional industrial style. HMD is also introducing two new feature phones: the HMD Barca 3210, a rebranded version of the Nokia 3210 with Barcelona-themed elements, and the HMD Barca Fusion, a variant of the Fusion device with illuminated signatures on the back, both aimed at minimizing distraction and promoting a more focused experience.
Drew Barrymore, for her part, made an appearance during HMD's presentation at MWC to discuss 'Project Wildflower,' an upcoming collaboration aimed at addressing the screen time epidemic among youth, whose development is expected to draw more attention to this important issue.