HMD, known for bringing back Nokia phones, is rethinking phones for kids and teens through the Better Phone project. The goal is to create age-appropriate devices with input from parents and experts to limit potential harms while staying connected. This initiative comes in response to concerns about rising mental health problems among teens due to social media and technology. While parents may want their children to have phones for communication and education, they also worry about the negative impact smartphones can have on their kids.
HMD has a range of “dumb” phones that offer communication without the distractions of smartphones. However, parents often modify these phones to better suit their children’s needs. Through research and conversations with parents, HMD has discovered that many regret giving their children smartphones at a young age and blame phones for personality changes. This has prompted the company to take action and create alternative devices for kids through the Better Phone project. The company intends to work with experts and families to address these concerns and provide solutions.
To gather feedback from parents, HMD conducted a global survey and found that many parents regret giving smartphones to their children. The average age for children to receive their own smartphone is 11, but parents wish they had waited longer. Despite these concerns, experts caution against attributing mental health issues directly to social media and technology use. However, HMD acknowledges the value of listening to parents’ perceptions and experiences, leading them to prioritize creating solutions through the Better Phone project.
HMD aims to involve interested parties and partners in the Better Phone project through webinars and collaborations. Inspired by his experience at Lego and as a father, Lars Silberbauer emphasizes the importance of engaging with users and considering different perspectives. The company is open to suggestions regarding the form and features of the devices they plan to create. Ideas range from basic payments with NFC to predefined messages for younger children. The focus is on meeting the specific needs of children and parents while minimizing the addictive nature of technology.
The challenge for HMD’s product development team will be to create devices that prioritize people’s needs over profit. The company is considering a variety of form factors and features based on feedback from parents and experts. The goal is to provide alternatives to traditional smartphones that address concerns about mental health and screen time among children and teenagers. By involving stakeholders in the development process, HMD hopes to create devices that are less captivating and more practical for young users.
Parents interested in contributing to the Better Phone project can learn more on HMD’s website. The company’s approach reflects a commitment to addressing the challenges of parenting in the digital age and creating technology that serves the best interests of children and families. By reimagining phones for kids and teens, HMD aims to provide a safer and more age-appropriate alternative to traditional smartphones.
