Mumsnet and Nothing have created the OtherPhone, an Android handset with a difference, designed to offer peace of mind for worried parents
Many parents worry about the safety of their children using mobile phones to play games online or access the internet. Given how easy it can be for youngsters to stumble upon age-inappropriate content, they have every right to be concerned.
A new option called the OtherPhone has arrived to help ease those everyday parental worries. This clever gadget is the result of a collaboration between three Brit-based companies – Mumsnet, SafetyMode and Nothing Technology.
Built on the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite, the child-friendly Android device is a modern, high-performance smartphone that is the perfect first phone for children. It also comes with smart SafetyMode protection that is built right into the system and ready to roll the moment it is switched on.
The smart AI-powered technology helps keep children safe online by actively monitoring, filtering and blocking harmful content, including nudity, bullying and explicit language. It works across all installed apps, offering protection on popular platforms such as WhatsApp, Snapchat, Roblox and YouTube.
Parents also benefit from a range of useful controls, including location tracking and the ability to limit access to certain apps and websites. What makes SafetyMode stand out, however, is its ability to understand context rather than simply blocking entire apps or reacting to specific keywords.
The OtherPhone comes with SafetyMode technology pre-installed
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SafetyMode
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The OtherPhone is a child-safety-first smartphone created by the UK parenting community Mumsnet in collaboration with SafetyMode and Nothing Technology.
Its advanced AI can tell the difference between everyday conversations and situations that may be cause for concern, sending real-time alerts to parents only when something genuinely needs their attention. Importantly, all of the processing takes place directly on the device, so no images, messages or personal data are ever uploaded or shared.
Families can buy the child-friendly OtherPhone with SafetyMode already installed for £279, which includes three months of free access to SafetyMode Plus (an optional subscription is just £5.99 a month after trial).
One thing to note is that a SIM card is sold separately, so parents will need to purchase one if their child wants to make calls and send texts when they’re away from Wi-Fi.
As children’s exposure to technology at a young age becomes more commonplace, other providers are also offering safety features to help parents feel reassured. Pinwheel, for example, offers a child-friendly smartphone experience with no social media by default, as well as extensive parental controls that can be used on Samsung, Motorola and Google Pixel devices.
Alternatively, the budget-friendly Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids tablet offers a range of parental controls for £199. A one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+is included, giving little ones unlimited access to ad-free and age-appropriate content.
Back to the OtherPhone, setup takes just five minutes, after which its safety features are ready to go. With SafetyMode Plus, parents can manage settings, track locations and receive instant alerts if any concerning activity is detected.
The OtherPhone also features a minimalist “boring by design” home screen to help reduce distractions and encourage healthier screen habits. As children grow older, SafetyMode can be removed, leaving them with a standard Nothing smartphone.
Mumsnet’s Becky K and her 10-year-old son tested the child-friendly handset over the course of a weekend. She described it as a ‘solid’ first smartphone that offers peace of mind, without feeling overbearing or restrictive.
She said: “The OtherPhone is a solid, well-built first smartphone that feels surprisingly premium for £279. 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 pointed out that setting up the OtherPhone can prove somewhat tricky for those more accustomed to Apple iPhones. She noted: “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.”
Despite this, she continued: “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.”
