A mobile phone has been launched for four-year-old children by a company which claims it will help stop bullying.
The handset can only make and receive calls, and does not have a screen, just buttons from which pre-programmed numbers can be called. The company behind it, OwnFone, says the model is designed for children from four to nine.
Its makers claim that the basic design will reduce the risk of children falling victim to cyber bullying, accessing inappropriate material, and sexting. They company also say its very basic functions would make it perfect for older people.
Retailing from £55, the '1stFone' - which is the size of a credit card and weighs 40g - can be customised by with patterns and colours, and also programmed to display the child's name at the top.
Tom Sunderland, founder of OwnFone, said parents had hard decisions to make when buying their kids a mobile.
"In a world dominated by smartphones parents face a difficult choice when it comes to finding a first phone for their child," he said. "We wanted to design a fun product that appeals to children but puts parents in complete control and minimizes usage while still providing a vital connection between parent and child."
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