HMD Global and Xplora Technologies have teamed up to tackle parents' worries about the effects of technology on their kids. A recent study conducted by HMD in collaboration with Perspectus Global surveyed over 10,000 parents in five countries: the UK, US, India, Germany, and Australia. The results revealed that 60% of parents feel uneasy about smartphone overuse, 50% regret giving their kids smartphones too early, and 70% believe that their own smartphone-free childhood allowed for more family engagement.
New Initiatives for Safer Tech
Earlier this year, HMD launched “The Better Phone Project” to confront these concerns. Now, working with Xplora, known for their children's smartwatches, HMD is developing a range of solutions including phones and smartwatches that are friendly for kids and encourage responsible digital habits. Xplora will create the devices while HMD will manage their distribution, aiming to offer alternatives to smartphones that reduce distractions and ensure child safety.
Features of the Upcoming Devices
Set to be unveiled in March 2025 during MWC, these devices are expected to feature parental controls, smart home connectivity, and eSIM capabilities. These “anti-addiction” devices are designed to promote healthy digital habits, enabling parents to effectively oversee their children's screen time and social media activity.
HMD's CEO Jean-Francois Baril shared his enthusiasm for developing technology that centers on “human” values. Meanwhile, Xplora CEO Sten Kirkbak mentioned that this partnership will assist Xplora in breaking into the youth tech sector while enhancing the digital well-being of younger users.
A Balanced Approach to Technology
The goal of this collaboration is to create technological tools that promote a healthy relationship with tech, offering safe and distraction-free experiences for young users. Commenting on the partnership, HMD's CEO and chairman Jean-Francois Baril said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Xplora to provide tech solutions that meet the distinct needs of children and youth. At Human Mobile Devices, embedding ‘human’ into everything we do is part of our DNA. Our teams oversee the entire development process, from software to hardware, ensuring top-notch quality, certification, and security. This enables us to nurture a positive and healthy relationship with technology—delivering all crucial features without unnecessary distractions.”
