HMD Fuse Child-friendly Smartphone Blocks all Inappropriate Content

Human Mobile Devices (HMD) has announced a world-first child-friendly smartphone that will prevent kids from sharing and receiving inappropriate content.

The HMD Fuse comes with SafeToNet’s HarmBlock+ AI, which works across the phone’s camera and screen to block nude content. Kids will be unable to record any inappropriate content using the former, and will be unable to view nude content using the latter.

This protective AI has been pre-trained using some 22 million harmful nude images, so it knows what to look out for and block. It can even apply these blocking tools in real time, during live-streams.

HMD also promises that the Fuse will be able to grow with your child. It will start out as a virtual dumb phone, limited to text, call and location tracking functions. You can then set it to gradually introduce features whenever you feel your child is ready, such as access to the camera or specific media apps, all using carefully calibrated parental controls.

The latter also lets parents monitor and control their child’s phone usage, including screen time and social media apps.

It can even be set to ping a child’s location every 24 seconds, allowing parents to see where they are at any time. You can also set safe zones, and receive notifications whenever your child arrives in one.

Child-protecting features aside, we don’t have any details on the HMD Fuse’s specifications as yet.

Vodafone will be the first mobile network operator to launch the device around the globe, and it’s a Vodafone exclusive here in the UK – though it’s also available through Three, courtesy of the recent merger. It’s available from 5pm today, and will cost from £33 a month with a £30 upfront cost.

“We’ve created not just a new phone, but a new category,” said James Robinson, Vice President of HMD Family. “One that recognises children’s evolving needs and puts safety at the heart of the experience from day one.”