More Than Half of Children Have Been Contacted by Strangers Online—HMD and Parents Are Taking Action and Have Co-created New Phones With Enhanced Safety
More than half of children have been regularly contacted online by someone they don’t know, new research from HMD and Perspectus Global has revealed.¹ One in three children has been asked to take conversations to private messaging apps, and nearly 40% have been exposed to harmful online content, including sexual or violent material.¹
The results have emerged from a global survey of 25,000 children and adults in the UK, US, Germany, India, Australia and UAE.
When the figure is extrapolated and combined with the latest UN Global population data, it is estimated some 556 million children could be at risk of being contacted by strangers online through their smartphones.²
These findings highlight an urgent need for change.
For too long, parents have faced a difficult choice: either hand their kids a fully-fledged adult smartphone—with all the risks of unrestricted internet, social media pressure, and digital addiction—or keep them disconnected entirely. It’s clear that we need a better way forward.
That’s why HMD is introducing a new category of phones designed with parents for a younger audience. The first of these, the HMD Fusion X1, will debut at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona—a phone built as a “first step” into the digital world, designed to give teens independence while ensuring parents have the controls, they need for peace of mind.
A Growing Crisis: Research Driving Change
The global study, based on responses from nearly 25,000 parents and children across six countries (UK, Germany, US, Australia, India, and UAE), uncovered the scale of the problem¹:
- 51% of children have been contacted online by strangers.
- One in three has been encouraged to take conversations to private chat rooms or messaging apps.
- 56% of kids report being insulted or made to feel small online.
- 40% have been sent sexual or violent content.
- 52% of children feel addicted to their screens.
These alarming statistics come as governments—including the UK Home Office—move to crack down on online risks. But regulation alone isn’t enough. Parents need real solutions today.
Parents Led the Way—HMD Just Followed
For nearly a year, HMD has worked with thousands of parents and experts through The Better Phone Project, co-creating solutions based on what families truly need.
A 2024 global survey of 10,000 parents revealed that over half regretted giving their child a smartphone too soon, citing poor sleep, less exercise, and reduced real-world socializing.³ The same study found 11 was the average age kids got their first smartphone—but 54% of parents wished they had waited longer.³
Parents asked for better options—Now, after working with parents and teens across 84 countries, HMD is launching two new devices in 2025, starting with the HMD Fusion X1, designed to help teens build healthy digital habits while staying more protected.
The HMD Fusion X1: A Smart First Phone
The HMD Fusion X1 is the first step toward a more balanced relationship with technology. Developed in collaboration with Xplora, a Norwegian leader in children’s smartwatch technology, it puts control in the hands of parents while empowering teens with age-appropriate digital freedom.
Key safety features through the Xplora subscription include:
- Xplora’s parental controls are deeply integrated into the operating system, giving parents a simple yet powerful way to guide their teen’s digital experience.
- Social media & browser controls – Parents decide when (or if) these features are enabled.
- Safe calls & messaging – Only pre-approved contacts can get through.
- GPS tracking & safety zones – Parents receive alerts when teens leave designated safe areas.
- Stay Focused Mode – Blocks access during school hours or bedtime, reducing distractions when it matters most.
Technology Alone Won’t Solve This—But It’s a Start
The reality is that no single device can fully protect children from the challenges of growing up in a digital world. That’s why HMD is going further with its plan of integrating real-time protection against harmful content with SafeToNet.
Planned to launch this summer on HMD phones, HMD will be the first mobile provider to use this technology, developed in partnership with SafeToNet, which provides on-device AI-powered protection—automatically detecting and blocking harmful content before it reaches the user, without relying on external apps that can be bypassed.
HMD believes that empowering kids with the right tech at the right time is crucial. The Better Phone Project isn’t just about creating devices with enhanced safety—it’s about challenging the status quo.
"Smartphones aren’t just tech—they shape childhoods, family dynamics, and society itself. Few companies are building solutions with children and parents in mind. We are working with parents to do exactly that. The Better Phone Project is proof that change is possible when families—not corporations—lead the conversation.
This is about giving parents real choices. The HMD Fusion X1 with Xplora and technology planned with SafeToNet are just the start. Together, we’re pushing for a future where kids are empowered to use technology in a safer way, and parents have the tools for added protection and peace of mind.”
"At Xplora, our mission is to onboard kids safely into the digital world. As the market leader in kids’ smartwatches, we’ve long worked to extend our trusted parental controls to smartphones.
Partnering with HMD is the perfect match, ensuring tweens and teens get a safer first smartphone experience. With growing concerns about early exposure to social media and inappropriate content, we believe it’s crucial to provide secure solutions that put children’s well-being and safety first.”
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¹ Based on a study commissioned by HMD and conducted by Perspectus Global of almost 25,000 parents and children in 6 countries: UK, US, Australia, India, UAE & Germany. The survey of 12,393 parents and 12,331 children (aged between 8 – 15) was conducted in January 2025.
² The global figure of 556 million is achieved using UN population data and the table can be found here: https://population.un.org/wpp/. Global findings extrapolation table shows the results of HMD’s research referred to in footnote 2, if extrapolated to the global figure.
³ Based on a study commissioned by HMD and conducted by Perspectus Global. 10,092 parents were interviewed across 5 different countries: United Kingdom, the United States, India, Germany, and Australia. The study was conducted in July 2024.
About HMD
We are HMD, Human Mobile Devices. We start by listening—really listening—to what people need. Some want a break from digital overload, while others simply need an affordable, reliable way to stay connected. We believe everyone should have access to great mobile technology, whether that means stepping back or staying in touch.
We make phones that are thoughtfully designed, made to go the distance, and packed with the everyday features that matter most. They’re easier to repair, built with digital well-being in mind, and always simple, secure, and affordable—without any unnecessary fuss. Stay tuned at www.hmd.com.
About Xplora
Xplora is a platform and services company and an industry leader in the market for children's smartwatches. Xplora was founded to give children a safe onboarding to the digital life and a better balance between screen time and physical activity. Xplora's vision is to enable children around the world to experience how their everyday activities can create value and make a positive change in the world. The company is headquartered in Norway with operations in leading European markets. Xplora is listed on Euronext Growth under the ticker symbol XPLRA.
About Safe to Net
The internet should lift children up, not put them at risk. SafeToNet is making that a reality.
Our groundbreaking technology, HarmBlock, is the first of its kind - built into devices to stop harmful content before it can ever reach a child. By preventing cameras from capturing explicit images, we tackle online threats at the source, protecting children in real time.
We work with industry leaders, policymakers, and tech creators to make ethical AI the standard, ensuring every child can explore the digital world safely and freely.
This is more than protection. It’s a movement. Be part of it at www.safetonet.com.