New iPhone and Samsung rival offers 'groundbreaking' feature that can't be ignored

Parents concerned about what their kids are up to on their smartphones might want to consider a new device Vodafone is now stocking. It's called the HMD Fuse, protected with HarmBlock+, and promises to block youngsters from viewing and sending nude content across the internet. It's a growing worry for anyone with children, with recent research revealing that one in five secondary school-aged children (11–17) have felt pressured into sharing an explicit image of themselves.

Thanks to the latest AI technology tucked inside the HMD Fuse, the phone can instantly detect when the user is attempting to view inappropriate images or trying to use the camera to send explicit photos to a contact.

"Human Mobile Devices (HMD) unveils the world’s first smartphone – HMD Fuse protected with HarmBlock+ – debuting groundbreaking HarmBlock AI from SafeToNet built into the device that works across the camera and screen," HMD explained.

"It prevents children from filming or sending nude content, and from seeing or saving nude and sexual images – even within a livestream."

The device also comes packed with other safety features including full parental controls which easily allow adults to limit screen time, block apps and track loaction.

There's even the ability to set safe zones and receive alerts when those zones are entered or exited.

As children get older, all of these parental blocks can be removed with HMD saying that the Fuse has been designed to 'grow with your child'.

That means customers can adjust the rules and boundaries for their child and adapt them as they grow up.

Vodafone will be the first to stock the the HMD Fuse protected with HarmBlock+ with prices starting from £33 a month with 5GB data.

Speaking about the launch, James Robinson, Vice President, HMD Family, said: "We believe this will be the most impactful smartphone launch of the year.

"We’ve created not just a new phone, but a new category. One that recognises children’s evolving needs and puts safety at the heart of the experience from day one. When you give your child a smartphone, you bring a stranger and unknown dangers into your home.

"You can’t watch them always online, but now you have peace of mind that there’s protection in place even when you can’t be there, all while keeping their privacy in place. That’s why we believe this is a huge step forward in making a safer phone.”