HMD Global, the manufacturer known for the legendary Nokia phones, has decided to take an interesting new direction: a “tech detox” smartphone. In a world where children are spending more time staring at screens than books, HMD has partnered with Xplora Technologies to develop safe devices for young children – a solution to the headaches of today’s parents.
According to a survey by HMD and Perspectus Global, more than 10,000 parents from countries such as the UK, the US, India, Germany, and Australia have “confessed” their concerns about smartphones and their impact on their children. The results are not promising: 60% worry their children are “addicted” to their phones, 50% regret buying a smartphone for their child too early, and 70% believe that a “smartphone-free” childhood allowed them to interact more with their family. Clearly, the excessive attachment to screens is causing headaches for an entire generation of parents.
Earlier this year, HMD launched “The Better Phone Project” with an ambitious goal – to create more child-friendly technology. Now, with the support of Xplora – experts in smartwatches for children – HMD is developing devices such as feature phones and smartwatches specifically for young children. HMD handles distribution, while Xplora takes care of design, creating a perfect duo in the effort to reduce tech “addiction” among kids.
The “tech detox” devices are expected to be officially unveiled in March 2025 at the MWC exhibition in Barcelona, Spain. The products promise features such as parental controls, smart home connectivity, and eSIM, making it easier for parents to manage their children’s device usage time.
Jean-Francois Baril, CEO of HMD, expressed great excitement when talking about his vision: “We want technology to serve people, not the other way around.” Meanwhile, Sten Kirkbak from Xplora hopes that this collaboration will open a new door for children’s technology, helping to develop healthy digital habits.
This partnership is not just about creating new devices, but also aims to build a balanced relationship between people and technology – a lifestyle that both children and parents can enjoy with peace of mind, without worrying about addictive “screens.”
