US Tech Company Releases First ‘Dumb’ iPhone for Children
Credit: Kaspars Grinvalds / Adobe Stock
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Multiple reports estimate screen time for children under 8 to be about 2.5 hours per day. Let’s face it, despite Apple’s parental control features and various third-party options that offer the ability to restrict certain apps and content, most parents aren’t strictly policing exposure to harmful content.
Kids are often savvy enough to bypass their parents’ attempts to regulate content on their devices. To help solve that problem, a US tech company has just announced a solution: a “healthy first iPhone.”
Techless, the company behind the popular “healthy smartphone,” the Wisephone II, just announced a modified iPhone 16 for a monthly contract of £99 to UK users. Techless is offering this iPhone and plan under the name Sage Mobile.
Customers can select from the iPhone 16e and upgrade to plans with AppleCare+ and an iPhone 16 Pro with AppleCare+. Plans start at £99.95/month with a setup fee of £119. Sage is offering 50% off the initial setup fee for orders placed through August 24. The phones are scheduled to ship the week of August 25.
“We wanted to build a device that’s safe by design, not safe by surveillance, Chris Kasper, CEO and founder of Techless, told the UK’s ITV. “With Sage, we’ve created a smartphone that helps people reconnect with real life, not just reduce screen time.”
The Sage Mobile ‘dumb’ iPhone will automatically filter adult content and harmful websites, allow only pre-vetted apps (with the option to add others), include maps and location tools, and eliminate workarounds like VPN’s. Sage Mobile does not include any social media apps, ads or tracking when using native iOS apps, or allow any internet browsing.
Why is this product only being launched in the UK? Good question. The UK market has shown strong interest in a values-led approach to children’s smartphone usage. This month, new regulations are set to take effect from Ofcom, the UK’s Office of Communications, to ensure safer phone and internet use for children.
Does this make Techless’ selection of the UK for launching Sage Mobile counterintuitive? We’ll see. Sage is substantially less expensive than their US Wisephone II product, which starts at $399 plus the monthly plan. Will more parents opt for safety first iPhone that’s within reach, or rely on Ofcom regulations?
Studies documenting the mental health detriments of social media and smartphone are plentiful. Social media and smartphones contribute to higher rates of depression, suicide, anxiety, and reduced social interaction. However products like Sage may not offer a total solution. Children can also benefit from smartphones and learning how to regulate their usage on their own as they grow while maintaining healthy relatinoships offline. Of course, this would require a significant amount of parental involvement and ongoing communication with young users. Where do you stand?
