Latest news with #SoniaLivingstone
The Irish Sun
18-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
New kids-only iPhone launches that's perfect for worried parents – it has NO social media & all internet apps blocked
A SPECIAL iPhone designed to stop kids from downloading social media apps and accessing an internet browser has been launched in the UK. Sage Mobile has modified the popular Apple device to tightly restrict the apps and services a child can access for the parents' peace of mind. Advertisement 1 Only vetted apps can be downloaded on the iPhone using Sage Mobile software Credit: Techless Only pre-vetted apps deemed safe for children can be used on the handset. And "sketchy workarounds" such as VPNs and backdoors are blocked too, the company claims. By default, the service has no social media, internet browser, or app store access. The Sage software is part of a subscription bundle, which provides buyers with an Advertisement Read more about iPhone "We didn't want to build a 'parental control' phone,' explained Chris Kaspar, CEO of Techless, the company behind Sage Mobile. "We wanted to build a device that's safe by design, not safe by surveillance. "With Sage, we've created a smartphone that helps people reconnect with real life, not just reduce screen time." But it doesn't come cheap, starting from £119 a month. Advertisement Most read in Phones & Gadgets Tested And not everyone is convinced it's a good idea. Professor Sonia Livingstone, a Social Psychologist at LSE says the price tag is "beyond the means of most parents, so if it does bring benefits, they can only be at the cost of increased social inequalities". Sun's tech editor shows NEW 4mm thin folding Samsung – & teases 'flip iPhone' too "More importantly, it is hard to see how this phone will solve the problem," she told "Research shows that young people gain many benefits from both social media and web browsing, though of course efforts to prevent the risks are important. Advertisement "Research shows that only a minority of young people have problematic internet use, and that many are learning the skills to become resilient and able to manage their own phone use in the future, which is also important." Techless first launched a version for the US market called Wisephone. The company claims it has sold out four times consecutively, "demonstrating the rising global demand for screen-safe smartphone solutions". It comes just days before new online safety law comes into effect forcing websites to make sweeping changes so adult and inappropriate content isn't easily accessible to children. Advertisement A number of iPhone tricks to try today Here are some of the best... Typing cursor – When typing, hold down the space bar to turn your keyboard into a trackpad, letting you move around words and sentences more easily Close all Safari tabs – To do this in one go, simply hold the overlapped squares in the bottom right-hand corner, and press close all tabs Delete lots of photos quickly – Hold down on a photo and then drag your finger diagonally in Photos to select lots of images at once, then hit delete Convert currency quickly – Swipe down from the top of your Home screen (or swipe left to right on an iPhone X or later model), then tap in the bar and type a currency (like $200) and it will automatically covert to your local currency Check if you're due a battery upgrade – Batteries inside smartphones degrade over time. Just go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health, and check out the Maximum Capacity reading. Generally a battery is considered worn when you're down to 80% capacity. If you're below, you can buy a battery swap from Apple Move apps around faster – Hold an app until it starts wiggling, then (while still holding) tap other apps, causing them to stack so you can move them around easier
Scottish Sun
18-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
New kids-only iPhone launches that's perfect for worried parents – it has NO social media & all internet apps blocked
But not everyone is convinced it'll work - especially due to the cost GOOD CALL New kids-only iPhone launches that's perfect for worried parents – it has NO social media & all internet apps blocked Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A SPECIAL iPhone designed to stop kids from downloading social media apps and accessing an internet browser has been launched in the UK. Sage Mobile has modified the popular Apple device to tightly restrict the apps and services a child can access for the parents' peace of mind. 1 Only vetted apps can be downloaded on the iPhone using Sage Mobile software Credit: Techless Only pre-vetted apps deemed safe for children can be used on the handset. And "sketchy workarounds" such as VPNs and backdoors are blocked too, the company claims. By default, the service has no social media, internet browser, or app store access. The Sage software is part of a subscription bundle, which provides buyers with an iPhone 16e or iPhone 16 Pro with the added protections. "We didn't want to build a 'parental control' phone,' explained Chris Kaspar, CEO of Techless, the company behind Sage Mobile. "We wanted to build a device that's safe by design, not safe by surveillance. "With Sage, we've created a smartphone that helps people reconnect with real life, not just reduce screen time." But it doesn't come cheap, starting from £119 a month. And not everyone is convinced it's a good idea. Professor Sonia Livingstone, a Social Psychologist at LSE says the price tag is "beyond the means of most parents, so if it does bring benefits, they can only be at the cost of increased social inequalities". Sun's tech editor shows NEW 4mm thin folding Samsung – & teases 'flip iPhone' too "More importantly, it is hard to see how this phone will solve the problem," she told ITV News. "Research shows that young people gain many benefits from both social media and web browsing, though of course efforts to prevent the risks are important. "Research shows that only a minority of young people have problematic internet use, and that many are learning the skills to become resilient and able to manage their own phone use in the future, which is also important." Techless first launched a version for the US market called Wisephone. The company claims it has sold out four times consecutively, "demonstrating the rising global demand for screen-safe smartphone solutions". It comes just days before new online safety law comes into effect forcing websites to make sweeping changes so adult and inappropriate content isn't easily accessible to children. A number of porn sites such as PornHub, as well as social platforms like Reddit, have started adding new stricter age checks.
The Sun
18-07-2025
- The Sun
New kids-only iPhone launches that's perfect for worried parents – it has NO social media & all internet apps blocked
A SPECIAL iPhone designed to stop kids from downloading social media apps and accessing an internet browser has been launched in the UK. Sage Mobile has modified the popular Apple device to tightly restrict the apps and services a child can access for the parents' peace of mind. 1 Only pre-vetted apps deemed safe for children can be used on the handset. And "sketchy workarounds" such as VPNs and backdoors are blocked too, the company claims. By default, the service has no social media, internet browser, or app store access. The Sage software is part of a subscription bundle, which provides buyers with an iPhone 16e or iPhone 16 Pro with the added protections. "We didn't want to build a 'parental control' phone,' explained Chris Kaspar, CEO of Techless, the company behind Sage Mobile. "We wanted to build a device that's safe by design, not safe by surveillance. "With Sage, we've created a smartphone that helps people reconnect with real life, not just reduce screen time." But it doesn't come cheap, starting from £119 a month. And not everyone is convinced it's a good idea. Professor Sonia Livingstone, a Social Psychologist at LSE says the price tag is "beyond the means of most parents, so if it does bring benefits, they can only be at the cost of increased social inequalities". "More importantly, it is hard to see how this phone will solve the problem," she told ITV News. "Research shows that young people gain many benefits from both social media and web browsing, though of course efforts to prevent the risks are important. "Research shows that only a minority of young people have problematic internet use, and that many are learning the skills to become resilient and able to manage their own phone use in the future, which is also important." Techless first launched a version for the US market called Wisephone. The company claims it has sold out four times consecutively, "demonstrating the rising global demand for screen-safe smartphone solutions". It comes just days before new online safety law comes into effect forcing websites to make sweeping changes so adult and inappropriate content isn't easily accessible to children. A number of porn sites such as PornHub, as well as social platforms like Reddit, have started adding new stricter age checks. iPhone tricks to try today Here are some of the best... Typing cursor – When typing, hold down the space bar to turn your keyboard into a trackpad, letting you move around words and sentences more easily Close all Safari tabs – To do this in one go, simply hold the overlapped squares in the bottom right-hand corner, and press close all tabs Delete lots of photos quickly – Hold down on a photo and then drag your finger diagonally in Photos to select lots of images at once, then hit delete Convert currency quickly – Swipe down from the top of your Home screen (or swipe left to right on an iPhone X or later model), then tap in the bar and type a currency (like $200) and it will automatically covert to your local currency Check if you're due a battery upgrade – Batteries inside smartphones degrade over time. Just go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health, and check out the Maximum Capacity reading. Generally a battery is considered worn when you're down to 80% capacity. If you're below, you can buy a battery swap from Apple Move apps around faster – Hold an app until it starts wiggling, then (while still holding) tap other apps, causing them to stack so you can move them around easier
ITV News
17-07-2025
- ITV News
New social media-free iPhone goes on sale
Are you concerned about your child's screen time, or the content they're coming across while using their smartphones? If so, you're not the only one. A recent survey by Internet Matters found that 63% of parents believe time online negatively impacts their children's health, including their sleep, while 67% continue to report harmful experiences online. For parents grappling over how to limit the damage of social media and smartphones, American company Techless says it has a solution – although it doesn't come cheap. Sage Mobile, a new brand launched in the UK yesterday, promises peace of mind to parents with two iPhone models (iPhone 16e and iPhone 16 Pro) preloaded with Sage software, starting at £99.95 per month with an upfront set-up fee of £119. Sage says its devices remove the "most common digital distractions and risks", no social media, internet browser or app store access on its default system, as well as explicit image detection and factory reset prevention. It comes preloaded with a handful of apps, including Spotify, Uber and Google Maps, and essential tools such as messaging, camera, and calendar features. Sage Mobile's pitch is that it provides a simple setup with "no loopholes for workarounds", adding that it has been granted "system-level functionality by Apple" for its devices, meaning its system "can't be turned off, deleted, or bypassed like a normal app". "We didn't want to build a 'parental control' phone," said Chris Kaspar, CEO and founder of Techless. "We wanted to build a device that's safe by design, not safe by surveillance. With Sage, we've created a smartphone that helps people reconnect with real life, not just reduce screen time." Sage's US counterpart, Wisephone, has sold out four times consecutively, suggesting there clearly is a demand, but with such a hefty price tag, these so-called "healthy iPhones" will be out of reach for many parents. "Clearly, the price tag is beyond the means of most parents, so if it does bring benefits, they can only be at the cost of increased social inequalities," Professor of Social Psychology at LSE Sonia Livingstone told ITV News. "More importantly, it is hard to see how this phone will solve the problem. Research shows that young people gain many benefits from both social media and web browsing, though of course efforts to prevent the risks are important. "Research shows that only a minority of young people have problematic internet use, and that many are learning the skills to become resilient and able to manage their own phone use in the future, which is also important. "This new phone comes at an odd time, given that this is the month in which Ofcom safety regulation comes into force, and parents are promised by the regulator that phones and internet use will be safer in a matter of months. We already see companies introducing improved safety services." While Prof Livingstone, who has advised the UK government, the EU, UNICEF and other organisations on children's internet safety, says she can see why parents would see Sage's phones as an "easy solution". "But, research also shows that what really matters is the communication and understanding between child and parent, and such a restriction may lead some to seek a work around, which will be even harder for parents to manage," she added. How to make your child's phones safer and reduce their screen time iPhone: Apple's Screen Time feature, which allows you to see how much time you're spending on your devices and set limits on apps, also lets parents set content and privacy restrictions on their children's phones and tablets. When setting up the feature on your child's device, you can set age-related restrictions for content, purchases, downloads and privacy settings, Apple says on its website. Parents using Apple's Family Sharing feature and have registered their children's devices to their family sharing group are able to set these restrictions remotely – although be warned, there are some workarounds for screen time limits more savvy young people might use. Android: Google's Family Link feature can be used on Android devices in a similar way, and lets parents set spending restrictions, and parental approval for downloads. It also lets you monitor app and device usage, set a "school time" schedule where certain apps are blocked, and a "downtime schedule" to stop your children scrolling during bedtime. You can also block explicit websites on Google Chrome, but same as before, some children and teens may find workarounds. Third-party apps: Parents looking for an extra level of security could use third-party parental control apps, including Mobicip, Norton Family, ParentShield and Qustodio, for a lower price than Sage's subscription deal. There are some ways children and teenagers can get around these, including by using VPNs (virtual private networks), but some apps on the market let parents monitor VPN activity and restrict usage. "Parent apps should not be used as an 'install it and forget it' method for safeguarding children and young people online," says the Safer Schools Partnership. "If you do choose to use monitoring software, it should be in conjunction with a range of other measures. "
The Guardian
10-07-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Children limiting own smartphone use to manage mental health, survey finds
Children are increasingly taking breaks from their smartphones to better manage their mental health, personal safety and concentration spans, research has revealed. They are reacting to growing concerns that spending too much time online can be harmful by taking control of their own social media and smartphone use rather than relying on parents to enforce limits, according to experts. The number of 12- to 15-year-olds who take breaks from smartphones, computers and iPads rose by 18% to 40% since 2022, according to the audience research company GWI, drawing on a survey of 20,000 young people and their parents across 18 countries. Prof Sonia Livingstone, the director of the LSE's Digital Futures for Children centre, said these findings were echoed in soon to be published research, which has found that children and young people are trying various options to manage how their online lives affect their wellbeing, including taking a break from social media, distracting themselves from negativity online, seeking more positive experiences on the internet and in some cases quitting social media altogether. Livingstone said: 'Children have got the message – from their parents, the media, their own experiences – that too much social media isn't always good for them. 'So they are experimenting with different ways of protecting their wellbeing, without wanting to give up on social media entirely. I'm sure they're talking to each other about what works for them and figuring out the way ahead.' Daisy Greenwell, the co-founder of Smartphone Free Childhood, said she was increasingly speaking to young people who were 'questioning the idea that growing up online is inevitable'. She said: 'We regularly hear from teenagers who are exhausted by the pressure of being permanently connected and who are choosing to step back for their own mental health. 'Many of them are waking up to the fact that these platforms aren't neutral. They're designed to manipulate attention … They are realising that their time, focus and self-esteem are being monetised by some of the world's biggest companies. Taking a break has become an act of rebellion.' This is reflected in Ofcom research. A report from 2024 found that a third (33%) of eight- to 17-year-olds who are online think their screen time is too high, while another found that 47% of 16- to 24-year-olds who use social media deactivate notifications and used 'do not disturb' mode, an increase from 40% in 2023, and compared with 28% of older adult users. Thirty-four per cent of younger people were more likely to take a deliberate break from social media (compared with 23% who said they would not do this), 29% would delete apps because they spend too much time on them (compared with 19% who would not), and 24% would delete apps for their mental health (compared with 13% who would not). David Ellis, a professor of behavioural science at the University of Bath, noted that teenagers may have discovered the features that let people control their time on social media and smartphones more quickly than their parents – though evidence that these features change behaviour in the long term was mixed, he said. Ellis said: 'If someone is going to spend less time sitting in front of a screen and instead increase their levels of physical activity, then most people would probably view that as a net positive. On the other hand, that time could be replaced by something else less beneficial.' Young people aged 18 to 25 who spoke to the Guardian previously said they felt their 'parent's generation didn't have a clue' and had granted them too much access to smartphones too young, while several said they would restrict access for their own children until their late teens. A recent poll found that almost half of young people would rather live in a world where the internet did not exist and a similar proportion would support a digital curfew, while more than three-quarters felt worse about themselves after using social media. The GWI research also found that social media addiction ranked among parents' top three fears for their children from a list that included climate change, war and the cost of housing, while 8% said they had become tougher about screen-time limits after watching the hit Netflix show Adolescence about the dangers of online misogyny.
