New research has revealed that over 75% of parents consider keeping their children safe online an impossible task. With many children spending significant time on smartphones, the challenge is ever-present. In response, the online parenting community Mumsnet has collaborated with UK brand SafetyMode to develop a child safety software designed to address these concerns.
AI-Powered Monitoring and Filtering
According to SafetyMode, more than 90% of Mumsnet parents believe smartphones are not safe enough for children, while 86% worry about the impact on their child's mental health and attention span. SafetyMode was created to provide safer defaults and stronger parental controls. The technology is available for free on Android devices and uses artificial intelligence to monitor, filter, and block harmful content such as nudity, bullying, and explicit language. It works across all apps installed on a smartphone, including those frequently used by children like WhatsApp, Snapchat, Roblox, and YouTube.
Contextual Awareness and Privacy
SafetyMode also offers parental controls, including location tracking and the ability to restrict certain apps and websites. What sets it apart from rival products is its ability to read context. The software can distinguish between a casual chat and a worrying conversation, sending real-time alerts to parents only when something genuinely requires attention. Crucially, all AI processing happens directly on the device, meaning no images, messages, or data ever leave the child's phone.
Free Download and Premium Upgrade
SafetyMode parental software can be downloaded for free on Android smartphones from the Google Play Store. Parents can upgrade to SafetyMode Plus for £5.99 per month, which unlocks additional features such as remote management of permissions and filters via a web dashboard. For those without an Android device, SafetyMode offers its own smartphone, the OtherPhone, developed in partnership with Mumsnet and Nothing Technology. This phone comes pre-loaded with SafetyMode software and includes all the safety features mentioned above.
OtherPhone: A Thoughtful First Smartphone
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 for more independence, SafetyMode can be removed from the OtherPhone, turning it into a standard smartphone. The OtherPhone is priced at £279 and includes three months of free access to SafetyMode Plus. Note that a SIM card may need to be purchased separately for calls and texts without an internet connection.
Mumsnet's Becky K and her 10-year-old son tested the OtherPhone 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, she noted that setup can be tricky for those accustomed to Apple iPhones. Despite this, she concluded: "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."
