I’m dreading the day my eight-year-old gets his first phone but this Mumsnet-backed app could help
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I’m putting off my son’s first phone for as long as possible, but this Mumsnet-backed app could give me peace of mind.
As a mum to an eight-year-old son, I’m already dreading the day I have to buy him his first smartphone. He’s started asking for one, but my mum friends and I have agreed we’re holding off until high school. I know, though, that time will come around faster than I’d like.
It’s not the phone itself that worries me, but what my son could encounter online, from inappropriate content to cyberbullying. I want him to enjoy technology safely while still having the independence to explore as he gets older.
That’s why the SafetyMode App, co-designed by Mumsnet and UK tech brand SafetyMode, has caught my attention. As a parent, I know how reassuring it can be to have practical advice from a trusted parenting community, alongside tools that help manage some of the risks.
The SafetyMode App uses AI-driven filtering to scan for and block harmful text, nudity, bullying and explicit language in real time across apps including WhatsApp, Snapchat, YouTube and Roblox.
Another feature that stands out is its approach to privacy. Filtering takes place directly on the child's device rather than uploading data to cloud servers.
How the SafetyMode App works
The SafetyMode App is free to download on Android, with settings managed directly on the child's phone. Parents who want more control can opt for SafetyMode Plus, which costs £5.99 a month and allows them to manage filters and schedules remotely, access location tracking and receive email alerts.
Alongside the app, Mumsnet and SafetyMode have introduced a free Essential Guide for Parents, offering practical advice for families navigating children's digital lives, whether they're preparing for a first phone or already managing their child's online activity.
I’m sticking to our plan to wait until high school. But when that day arrives, the SafetyMode App and advice from Mumsnet could help make the transition into the digital world feel a little less daunting.
Natalie Dixon is our Lifestyle reporter, if you liked this article and want to read more about fashion, beauty and lifestyle you can follow Natalie Dixon on X here