The new technology aims to help parents keep their children safe online across apps like Snapchat, Roblox and WhatsApp
Research has revealed that more than 75% of parents say keeping their child safe online feels like an impossible task, and with many kids glued to their phones these days, it can be a constant struggle. Now, the online parenting community Mumsnet has co-designed a child safety software with UK brand SafetyMode.
According to the brand, more than 90% of Mumsnet parents believe smartphones are not safe enough for children, while 86% are concerned about the effect on their child’s mental health and attention span. SafetyMode was built in response to a demand for safer defaults and stronger parental control.
The technology is available to download for free on any Android device and uses AI to monitor, filter and block harmful content such as nudity, bullying and explicit language. It works across every app installed on a smartphone, including those frequently used by children such as WhatsApp, Snapchat, Roblox and YouTube.
It also provides parental controls, including location tracking and the ability to restrict certain apps and websites. However, what sets it apart from rival products that block entire apps or rely on keyword filters is that SafetyMode has the ability to read context.
The software is clever enough to distinguish between a casual chat and a worrying conversation, only sending real-time alerts to parents when something genuinely needs their attention. Crucially, the app’s AI processing happens directly on the device itself, meaning no images, messages or data ever leave the child’s phone, reports the Express.
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SafetyMode parental software is available to download free on Android smartphones, while parents can also buy the specially designed OtherPhone pre-loaded with a host of child safety featuers.
SafetyMode is designed for Android smartphones such as Samsung and Google and can be downloaded free of charge on the Google Play Store. Parents can also upgrade to SafetyMode Plus for £5.99 per month to unlock additional features, such as the ability to manage permissions and filters remotely via a web dashboard.
For those without an Android device, the software is still available with SafetyMode’s own smartphone, the OtherPhone. Developed in partnership with Mumsnet and Nothing Technology, this phone comes pre-loaded with SafetyMode software, offering all the safety features mentioned above.
Parents can also activate a minimalist ‘boring by design’ home screen to discourage addictive scrolling habits, with the SafetyMode Plus upgrade available here too. Once a child is older and ready to fly the nest, SafetyMode can be removed from the OtherPhone, turning it into a standard smartphone.
Parents can buy the OtherPhone pre-installed with SafetyMode for £279, which includes three months’ free access to SafetyMode Plus. Bear in mind, however, that a SIM card may need to be bought separately if children want to make calls and send texts without an internet connection.
Giffgaff is one network that offers a range of monthly rolling SIM plans with no contract needed, starting from £10 on its 40GB tariff. Child-friendly devices are available from numerous brands, including Amazon, which stocks a child-friendly version of its popular Fire tablet.
The Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids tablet boasts a host of parental controls for £69.99 (was £149.99), and also includes a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, providing unlimited access to ad-free, age-appropriate content. As for the OtherPhone, Mumsnet’s Becky K and her 10-year-old son put the device through its paces over a weekend.
She praised it as a ‘solid’ first smartphone that offers peace of mind, without feeling overbearing or restrictive.
“The OtherPhone is a solid, well-built first smartphone that feels surprisingly premium for £279,” she said. “The design is sleek, it runs smoothly, and the camera is impressively sharp for the price.
“Most importantly for parents, the parental controls and optional SafetyMode Plus features make it genuinely easier to use.”
However, Becky also noted that setting up the OtherPhone can prove tricky for those more accustomed to Apple iPhones. She said: “Because my older child and I both use iPhones, and the OtherPhone runs on Android, I found the process a little less straightforward than Apple’s Family Sharing system.”
Nevertheless, she went on to say: “I would absolutely recommend the OtherPhone to other parents looking for a first phone for their child. It’s well-priced, thoughtfully designed and gives peace of mind to parents without feeling overbearing or restrictive for kids.
“A big plus is the flexibility – you can use the phone on its own, or choose to add SafetyMode Plus if you want additional monitoring and controls.”
