An Interview with Sanmeet Singh Kochhar, SVP Europe, Asia, Middle East & Africa
- Your recent research with Perspectus Global sheds light on some troubling trends in teen digital behavior. What’s driving HMD’s mission to build a safer digital world?
The world our teens are growing up in is profoundly different from the one we knew. Screens are constant companions — in school, at home, even during downtime. While technology opens incredible doors, it also exposes kids to real risks. Our global study showed that 51% of children have been contacted by strangers online, and 40% have come across harmful or explicit content. That’s not just a statistic — that’s 556 million children globally, potentially at risk. It’s a wake-up call. And at HMD, we believe digital safety shouldn’t be an afterthought — it should be built in from the start.
- What did you uncover about how parents are currently dealing with these risks?
Parents today are caught in a tough spot. Many feel they’re forced to choose between giving their child a fully unrestricted smartphone — with all the dangers that come with it — or withholding access altogether. Neither is a real solution. What’s missing is a middle path. Our research found that over half of parents regret giving their child a phone too soon. They’re asking for tech that respects both their child’s curiosity and their own need to protect. That’s exactly where HMD wants to lead.
- And that led to The Better Phone Project?
Absolutely. The Better Phone Project began as a simple question: What if a child’s first phone was actually designed for them? We didn’t start with assumptions — we started by listening. Over 12 months, we co-created solutions with parents, educators, teens, and mental health experts from 84 countries. The result is not just a device — it’s a philosophy. We’re saying it’s time to reimagine technology for the next generation.
- Let’s talk about that device — the HMD Fusion X1. What makes it stand out?
The HMD Fusion X1 is our answer to the modern parenting dilemma. It’s a phone built from the ground up for teens, with input from families. It includes deeply embedded safety tools — like tamper-proof parental controls, GPS tracking with geo-fenced safety zones, screen-time management, and approved-only communication. Social media access and web browsing are not default features — they’re optional, unlocked when the parent feels the child is ready. It gives kids their digital independence — without handing them the entire internet on day one.
- And it’s not just about the hardware. Can you share more about your partnership with SafeToNet?
SafeToNet is a breakthrough in proactive protection. While most parental control tools monitor or report after something happens, SafeToNet uses on-device AI to filter harmful content in real time — before it ever reaches the child. It’s seamless, privacy-respecting, and very hard to bypass. We’re proud that HMD will be the first phone provider in the world to integrate this level of real-time protection directly into our smartphones, launching later this year.
- What kind of feedback have you received from parents who’ve trialed the Fusion X1?
Overwhelmingly positive. Parents tell us this is the first phone that gives them peace of mind — not because it limits their child, but because it supports them. They feel empowered, not anxious. Kids, on the other hand, don’t feel punished or micromanaged. The Fusion X1 creates a shared digital space where trust grows, not tension. That’s a major shift in how families relate to technology.
- With growing regulation and digital fatigue among teens, where does HMD see the future of this family-focused category going?
We’re just scratching the surface. The Fusion X1 is the beginning of a broader family vertical for HMD. Our long-term vision includes more devices, wearables, content, and partnerships — all designed around the evolving needs of families. And as governments and educators increasingly focus on digital wellbeing, we see a strong opportunity for public-private collaboration to shape this space responsibly.
- So what would you say to a parent on the fence about giving their child a phone today?
You don’t have to choose between protection and connection. The safer digital world you want is possible. It starts with smarter tools, transparent design, and a commitment to empathy. At HMD, we’re not here to replace parenting — we’re here to support it. Kids shouldn’t just survive the digital world — they should thrive in it. And that’s the future we’re building toward.