A New Era in Kid-Friendly Technology: Introducing the Fusion X1 by HMD

1. Embracing the Challenge of Tech for Kids

In today’s digital age, navigating the online world as a parent or teenager can be daunting. While technology offers immense opportunities, it also poses significant risks, especially for younger users. Recognizing this challenge, Finnish phone manufacturer HMD has taken a bold step to create a solution tailored specifically for kids. At the MWC 2025, HMD unveiled its Family Portfolio, featuring the Fusion X1, a smartphone designed with both kids and parents in mind. This phone is not just another device; it’s a thoughtful approach to giving children access to technology while ensuring their safety and helping them develop healthy digital habits.

2. Designing with Safety and Collaboration

The Fusion X1 is the result of a collaboration between HMD and Xplora, a company renowned for its kid-friendly smartwatches. This partnership has led to a device that strikes a balance between giving kids the freedom to use modern technology and providing parents with the tools they need to guide their children’s digital journey. One of the standout features of the Fusion X1 is its ability to allow teens to request permission from their parents to download apps from the Google Play Store. This feature ensures that kids don’t have unrestricted access to potentially harmful content. Parents, on the other hand, have complete control over their child’s phone usage through a companion app, which lets them set and track screen time, monitor app usage, and even track their child’s location.

What makes the Fusion X1 unique is its approach to parental controls. Unlike most phones that either rely on easily bypassable apps or restrictive operating systems, the Fusion X1 integrates its controls deep into its custom version of Android. This creates a safe, locked-down environment where kids can still access popular apps like Snapchat, WhatsApp, and TikTok, but only with their parents’ consent. This flexibility allows families to set their own boundaries and rules, making the phone a tool that grows with the child.

3. Understanding the Need for Control and Safety

The idea behind the Fusion X1 is to provide a "stepping stone" for kids as they gradually learn to navigate the digital world. HMD’s Global Head of Product, Adam Ferguson, explains that the phone is designed to be a device that parents can control initially, with the option to hand over more responsibility to the child as they grow older. This approach reflects HMD’s understanding that each family is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to introducing kids to technology.

HMD’s commitment to creating a safer digital environment for children is evident in its research. Last summer, the company launched its Better Phones Project, which involved interviewing 25,000 teens and parents to better understand their needs. The findings were surprising: both teens and adults wanted clear boundaries around phone use, and many were even open to parents tracking their location. This research highlighted the very real risks that kids face online, with 52% of teens surveyed admitting that they had been approached by a stranger online. These statistics underscore the importance of tools like the Fusion X1, which aim to create a safer online space for young users.

4. A Thoughtful Approach to Digital Growth

HMD’s research also revealed that children go through three distinct phases when it comes to technology use. The first phase is the initial connection, where kids between the ages of 8 and 12 start building healthy habits. The second phase involves teens aged 13 to 16, who are ready for more advanced devices but still need guidance. Finally, older teens transition towards a more adult experience. The Fusion X1 is designed to be versatile enough to meet the needs of all these age groups, making it a device that truly grows with the child.

This thoughtful approach to technology use is something that resonates deeply with many parents. Actor and talk show host Drew Barrymore, who has two daughters aged 11 and 13, spoke at HMD’s event at Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona. Barrymore, who has chosen not to give her daughters smartphones just yet, shared her own experiences of growing up without boundaries and the challenges of balancing protection with independence. She praised HMD for creating a product that helps parents navigate the complex process of introducing teens to technology. For Barrymore, this is a deeply personal issue, and she expressed her appreciation for a company that understands the emotional journey of parenting in the digital age.

5. A Supportive Tool for Families

The Fusion X1 is more than just a phone—it’s a tool that empowers families to have open and honest conversations about technology use. It recognizes that every family is different and that there is no single solution to the challenges of raising kids in the digital age. Whether it’s setting limits on screen time, protecting against online predators, or addressing issues like cyberbullying and access to inappropriate content, the Fusion X1 gives parents and kids a way to approach these topics together.

6. Conclusion: A Step Towards Safer Tech

The Fusion X1 will be available for preorder now and is set to launch in May for £229 (approximately $290). It’s a phone that not only addresses the immediate concerns of parents but also acknowledges the long-term goal of helping kids develop the skills they need to navigate the digital world independently. By combining flexibility, safety, and a deep understanding of the needs of families, HMD’s Fusion X1 is setting a new standard for kid-friendly technology. As James Robinson, HMD’s Americas SVP, so aptly put it, “We’re on a mission to deliver a much safer environment, knowing that there is no silver bullet, but there are certainly things that we can try to do better.” With the Fusion X1, HMD is taking a significant step in the right direction, offering a device that doesn’t just cater to kids or parents, but to the entire family.