How to set up a teen safe smartphone

How to set up the HMD Fusion X1, a phone with enhanced safety for teens

Recently we released the HMD Fusion X1, a phone designed for teens to experience smartphones in a safer way. Ordinary smartphones allow access to a wide range of features that are meant for adults, features that have been proven to be addictive and have negative effects on children’s and teen’s mental health¹.

We conducted a global study¹ to find out who parents and children, who currently have smartphones, are feeling about their smartphone habits and the results were shocking.

• 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.

We also conducted The Better Phone Project, an initiative aimed at gathering feedback from real experts, real parents and teens/children to create smartphones that are intended to be used by teens and children with features to help give parents peace of mind. The HMD Fusion X1 is the first result of the feedback received from The Better Phone Project. We spoke to HMD Fusion X1 product marketing expert Petri Hayrynen, to give you the best guide to setting up the HMD Fusion X1.

Setting up your HMD Fusion X1

We’ve tried to keep the setup process as simple as possible. You will only need to download one app from either Google Play or App Store in order to manage your teen’s device. All of the controls will then be available within the app. We’ve also made sure to add simple on-screen guidance to make the process as smooth as possible.

After you’ve powered on the HMD Fusion X1 make sure you have a parent device nearby to begin the process.

1. Connect the HMD Fusion X1 to Wifi
2. On the parent device, download and install the Xplora Guardian app (this can be done on iOS or AndroidTM mobile devices)
3. On the teen’s device, open the setup wizard and tap “add device”, a QR to be scanned by the parent device will then appear
4. On the parent’s device, launch the Xplora Guardian app:
   1. Login and create an account
   2. Tap “add device”
   3. Scan the QR code from the teen’s phone
5. After pairing the parent phone and HMD Fusion X1, the parent phone will then be prompted to choose a subscription for the Xplora Guardian app
6. Once you are set up you can
   • Approve contacts and calls
   • Set up time usage schedules
   • Track locations
   • View phone activity
7. Once the HMD Fusion X1 is set up, it will behave like a dumbphone and the parent will need to opt into apps (instead of opting out).

You can use the recommended quick settings while setting up the device to set the HMD Fusion X1 up like a “dumb phone” with no apps like Google Play Store or Browser or use the advanced setup to choose which pre-installed apps are visible on the device.

Which parent phones can you pair with the HMD Fusion X1

The amazing thing is that the Xplora Guardian app is available on both iOS and Android devices. You don’t need to buy a new phone with your teen’s new phone. We want the HMD Fusion X1 to fit seamlessly with your family, not add a whole new set of devices to the household.

Do you have any other HMD Fusion X1 tips & tricks?

First of all, I would urge the guardians to align on some digital ground rules with their teen so that everyone is on the same page on how the device gets used, when and where, where is it stored at night and what types of safety features and content limitations are in place. I’d also recommend getting comfortable with the parent’s app, especially with the contacts whitelisting for SMS and calls, location safety features and app hiding/unhiding. You’ll also probably want to add a second guardian to the app.

Where can I buy the HMD Fusion X1?

The HMD Fusion X1 is taking the world by storm, a smartphone intended to grow with your teen and their technology journey. Built with features that parents can trust like location sharing, safe zones, contact whitelist approvals, screen-time controls and more – it gives peace of mind without compromising your teen’s smartphone and technology journey.

You can find more information about where to purchase the HMD Fusion X1 in your region at https://www.hmd.com/en_int/hmd-fusion-x1

Is there more to come from HMD in the family space?

We have been working alongside other mobile safety powerhouses, like SafetoNet with their innovative Harmblock software to develop something super special for the world of smartphone safety and children’s/teen’s smartphones. Stay tuned!