HMD and Parents Co-Create Phone to Combat Smartphone Impact
Hmd Is Co-creating A New Phone With Parents – To combat smartphone impact and effects of social media on children
The Aim of this new smartphone
HMD is co-creating a new phone with parents, as thousands of parents across the globe reveal they regret handing over a smartphone to their children. The aim is to tackle the impact of smartphone use and social media on the wellbeing of children and create the choice needed to find balance.
New research commissioned exclusively by HMD (Human Mobile Devices) has found 11 is the average age when a parent hands over a smartphone to their child for the first time – but many confessed they wished they had waited longer.1
The global worldwide survey of 10,000 parents found more than half of those questioned said they regret exposing their child to a smartphone at such a young age. A third of those who responded cited the claimed negative effects of the device and changes in personality as the key reasons for this. Concerns have been raised consistently about the impact social media apps, which often go hand-in-hand with smartphones, have on children.
Percentage of Parents with positive view of smartphone avoidance
A staggering 70% of parents questioned admitted their smartphone-free childhood meant they engaged more with their family – however, it is quality time their children don’t experience: 55% say their child’s phone use is a source of big arguments and a third have cried over their child’s phone obsession.
Some 64% of parents questioned said smartphone use negatively impacts their child’s sleep, 61% think it reduces the amount of physical activity they take, and more than half (54%) worried that it will reduce the amount of time they spend socialising with friends.
With more than half of parents agreeing smartphones can have a positive impact on their children and benefit them educationally – including allowing them to keep in touch with friends – parents clearly face a dilemma.
What HMD is doing?
Tech innovator HMD is now striving to understand these challenges and offer a suite of new and innovative solutions which could work for parents, their children and anyone who is looking for credible alternatives to combat smartphone impact.
The digital detox space is one HMD is familiar with having spearheaded the dumbphone trend by reimagining feature phone classics for the modern consumer seeking to limit their screen time and social media use.
The phone manufacturer is now seeking to work with parents to co-create a phone and other new solutions which will serve as credible substitutes for a smartphone and give parents control over their child’s screen time and social media use.
HMD is also keen to work with anyone who is interested in this subject and would like to be part of the journey to create change and new solutions. This includes Generation Z, influencers, policymakers, campaigners and support groups. They can sign-up to be involved at https://www.hmd.com/en_int/better-phone-project. (URL will go live on 24 July)
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