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The HMD X1 ‘Safe’ Phone is designed to offer security features that give parents peace of mind while maintaining a stylish, kid-friendly appeal. It balances safety and fun, ensuring children stay connected responsibly without compromising their digital well-being. With advanced parental controls and a sleek design, the device caters to both security-conscious parents and tech-savvy kids. The HMD X1 redefines family-friendly mobile technology with its blend of protection and cool features.
One common criticism of smartphones with built-in parental controls is that, while they provide reassurance to parents, they often lack the appeal that kids want. Finland-based phone manufacturer Human Mobile Devices (HMD) aims to change that with the launch of its new HMD X1 phone on Sunday.
“At HMD, we believe kids shouldn't have to choose between safety and owning a smartphone they genuinely enjoy,” said Lars Silberbauer, the company's Global Chief Marketing Officer.
He further explained, “Parents have long been searching for a solution that offers both security and independence for their children, and the HMD X1 delivers exactly that. Through our Better Phone Project, we collaborated closely with families to design a device that combines premium smartphone aesthetics with essential parental safety features.”
“This marks a significant step in redefining what a child’s first phone should be—one that provides a safe introduction to the digital world without making them feel excluded,” Silberbauer added.
HMD initiated The Better Phone Project in July 2024 to study the effects of smartphone usage on children's and teenagers' well-being.
In its first global survey involving 10,000 parents, HMD found that 75% were concerned about online dangers posed by smartphones, while 65% worried about the impact of phone usage on their child’s mental health. Additionally, over half of the surveyed parents regretted giving their child a smartphone at an early age.
The HMD X1 empowers parents to manage their child’s smartphone experience with a range of customizable features. They can control app access, regulate internet usage, restrict social media, and set screen time limits. The phone also includes location tracking with safe zones, emergency SOS calling, low-battery alerts, and remote device management.
A special School Mode function disables selected apps and features during school hours to minimize distractions. Parents can adjust these settings in real time via an app by Xplora Technologies, a Norway-based company specializing in children’s smartwatches and wearables.
The HMD X1 is equipped with a 108MP AI-powered camera, a 5000mAh battery, facial and fingerprint recognition, and IP54-rated splash resistance. It also features a 3.5mm headphone jack, a detail that is regaining popularity among younger users.
A standout feature is its modular design, allowing users to customize the phone with “Outfits.” For instance, the Gaming Outfit transforms the X1 into a gaming console, the Flashy Outfit adds a built-in ring light for selfies, and the Power Outfit extends battery life.
John Strand, of Denmark-based telecom consulting firm Strand Consulting, highlighted the challenge of getting kids to adopt such phones. “It’s a great concept, but kids don’t want a phone that isn’t cool. They want an iPhone or an Android device,” he noted.
“It’s like taking kids out for a nice gourmet burger, but they insist on going to McDonald’s,” Strand told TechNewsWorld. “Convincing kids to use a phone like this is as difficult as persuading them to skip McDonald’s.”
Titania Jordan, Chief Parent Officer at Bark Technologies and author of Parental Control: A Guide to Raising Balanced Kids in the Digital Era, emphasized that children process digital content differently than adults.
“Kids’ brains work differently from adults, making them more vulnerable to online dangers like social media exposure, violent content, cyberbullying, and online predators,” Jordan told TechNewsWorld. “That’s why parents need to be actively involved in their child’s digital life.”
She pointed out that mainstream smartphones like iPhones and Android devices lack effective built-in parental controls. In contrast, phones designed specifically for children should include features that allow parents to manage contacts, screen time, and website access while providing content monitoring capabilities.
However, Jordan noted that while the HMD X1 offers security benefits, it lacks content monitoring, which is crucial in protecting children from online risks. “Unless parents manually check every text, DM, comment, or Google search—an almost impossible task—they will miss warning signs of potential harm,” she explained.
She further highlighted that many parents struggle to interpret teen slang or understand the risks of certain apps. “One of the biggest threats to children today is the manipulation that occurs in online game chats. Content monitoring can alert parents to inappropriate conversations that could lead to grooming,” she added.
Jordan emphasized that content monitoring is a key feature of a truly safe kid-friendly phone. “It provides families with a digital safety net, which is essential in today’s online world.”
As the HMD X1 enters the market, Alex Ambrose, a policy analyst at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, stressed the need to balance security with privacy protections, particularly regarding parental tracking and remote access.
“While these features provide valuable oversight, it’s important to ensure privacy safeguards are in place,” Ambrose told TechNewsWorld.
She explained that as children grow, their understanding of privacy evolves, making it essential for parental controls to adapt accordingly. “It’s crucial to educate users on the privacy implications of these tools to promote responsible smartphone use,” she said.
Ambrose praised HMD for incorporating on-device parental controls, which simplify monitoring by ensuring that apps and websites remain child-appropriate without relying on external verification from app stores.
Jennifer Huddleston, a technology policy research fellow at the Cato Institute, noted that the tech industry has been actively responding to parents’ concerns about children’s smartphone usage.
“We’ve seen companies introduce kid-safe devices with extensive parental controls, alongside broader efforts from ISPs, app stores, and social media platforms to provide solutions tailored to parents’ needs,” Huddleston told TechNewsWorld.
She emphasized that a diverse range of parental control options is preferable to restrictive policies that could impact users’ speech and privacy rights. “Having multiple choices allows parents to select what best suits their child, rather than enforcing one-size-fits-all regulations.”
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Source: technewsworld
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