When should children get their first smartphone? This is a hot topic for the moment, people becoming more and more aware of the dangers of the world online.
The big problem right now is that it is often an all or nothing approach. Either a child has a so-called `stupid '' with very limited features, or he obtains an almost absent access to a smartphone and all the potential problems that accompanied him. Parental control software exists, but often does not go far enough.
However, HMD could have found the perfect common ground. In collaboration with Kids Watch Maker XPlora, the company has created a budgetary phone that gives parents a granular control on how and the place where their children use their phones.
In terms of specifications, the merger X1 is identical to the original HMD merger which was launched last year. The big difference occurs on the software side, with an operating system that can be managed remotely via a smartphone application on any Android phone.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Once paired, it allows a parent to limit access to all applications or to the Internet in general, including via set hours. If you want your child to use Tiktok between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., for example, you can do that exactly. A “school mode” guarantees that they are not distracted without concentrating.
You can also control who your child speaks online only by authorizing communication with pre-approved contacts.
It is not a one -way street, however. The child can always ask to download applications from the Google Play Store, the parent deciding to grant access and set a daily limit. They can also require more time on an expired application for the day.
As well as it may seem, I can see a problem. Suppose you want to give your child access to a web browser, but that you want to prevent them from making social networks or consulting harmful content. In its current form, merger X1 does not allow you to give access to specific websites and block others.
However, physical security is just as high as online security. Fusion X1 allows you to monitor the location of your child, including by configuring up to 10 “sure areas” which will inform you when they leave and enter.
In addition to the option of tracing their steps from the last three days, emergency SOS calls, low battery alerts and remote access, merger X1 offers a complete overview of your child's safety.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Being highly customizable, the idea is that parents can gradually adjust the parameters as their child becomes more independent.
It will not be with the same device, however, HMD offering only two major updates of the operating system and three years of safety fixes of the initial launch of the merger in 2024. This means that it will not obtain Android 17 and will be dangerous to use beyond 2027.
And all these features have a cost. While merger X1 itself costs a very reasonable £ 229, all the features mentioned above require an additional subscription of $ 4.99 (UK Price TBC). It is not something that all parents will be arranged or capable of engaging.
If you are interested, the HMD Fusion X1 will be published in May, pre -orders that should be available via the HMD website soon.
This seems to be a great way to gradually present children to smartphones while protecting them from most key dangers, but there are important compromises to know.
See more of the coverage by the MWC technological advisor.
