Kids on Snapchat and Roblox protected by free AI software giving parents 'peace of mind'
Research shows 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 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 offers parental controls, including location tracking and the ability to block certain apps and websites. However, a key difference compared to rival products that block entire apps or rely on keyword filters is that SafetyMode can read context.
This means it understands the difference between a casual conversation and a concerning one, with real-time alerts only issued to parents when something genuinely requires their attention. What’s more, the software’s AI processing takes place directly on the device, so no images, messages or data ever leave the child’s phone.
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 for free on the Google Play Store. Parents can also upgrade to SafetyMode Plus for £5.99 per month to unlock extra features such as the ability to manage permissions and filters remotely from a web dashboard.
Alternatively, those without an Android phone can still use the software with SafetyMode’s own smartphone, the OtherPhone. Designed in collaboration with Mumsnet and Nothing Technology, this handset comes pre-loaded with SafetyMode software to provide all the safety features mentioned above.
Parents can also enable a minimalist ‘boring by design’ home screen to discourage addictive scrolling habits, with the SafetyMode Plus upgrade also available. Once a child is grown and ready for independence, SafetyMode can be removed from the OtherPhone to transform it into a standard smartphone.
Parents can buy the OtherPhone pre-installed with SafetyMode for £279, which comes with three months’ free access to SafetyMode Plus. However, parents may need to purchase a SIM card if their children wish to make calls and texts without an internet connection.
Giffgaff is one network which provides a selection of monthly rolling SIM plans with no contract required, starting from £10 on its 40GB tariff. Similar child-friendly devices are offered by many brands, including Amazon, which stocks a child-friendly model of its flagship Fire tablet.
The Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids tablet features a wealth of parental controls for £69.99 (was £149.99), which also provides a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+ including 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 to the test over a weekend.
She hailed it as a ‘solid’ first smartphone that provides 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 said setting up the OtherPhone can be tricky for those more used 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.”
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.”
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