While new smartphones always have more features than their predecessors, The Phone advocates a return to the essentials : call, write and that’s it ! This Internet-free phone will help preserve children’s innocence …
How did The Phone come about ?
Surprisingly, it’s not the brainchild of a big company, but of a mother and son, and a family friend. In February 2023, co-founder Maïlys Gantzler was concerned about the amount of time her sons were spending on their smartphones.
She asked her eldest son Viktor what he would think of a phone used solely for making calls and sending messages. He replies that it might be a good idea, but that it’s a shame to take a touchtone phone to school. Maïlys then asked him if he would like a phone that was only used for communication, but with a touch screen. Her son agreed.
Maïlys and Victor looked to see if such a thing existed. When they found that it didn’t, they decided to create it. Marius, the family friend and third partner, was immediately won over by the project and decided to join them.
Two million euros were invested in this innovative project, part of which came from participatory financing by investors.
What is The Phone ?
The Phone has just 4 applications : phone, SMS, settings and contacts. To prevent other applications from being installed, the creators of The Phone have developed a specific locked interface.
This smartphone runs on Android 11 and is only compatible with 3G. It has no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth module. Thanks to its operating system, it has no internet access.
Pre-orders opened in May 2024. Although The Phone is unlocked for all operators, it is only available on the company’s website to keep the price affordable. It retails for 100 euros, and its creators aim to sell 50,000 units in France by the end of the year.
The Phone will be offered to all CM2 pupils starting secondary school in Seine-Port next autumn. Last February, the town’s residents voted by a majority to ban smartphones from public spaces. However, the measures taken are more symbolic than punitive. The town is simply relying on the good faith of its residents.
A strong message
The Phone has been the target of ridicule and criticism. Some believe that old phones are just as good, and cheaper. The Nokia 3310, for example, can only make calls and send text messages. But The Phone is touch-sensitive ! And as surprising as it may seem, this has never been done before.
For the three partners, The Phone is more than just a product. It’s a bulwark against digital addiction and cyberbullying. As there is no Internet connection, it is not possible to access social networks. So, any time a child spends away from their phone will be time spent enjoying “real life”.
Buy The Phone or set up parental controls on digital devices ? The ball is now in the court of parents, who have real solutions for combating children’s digital dependency.
Léane KASTNER
Master 2 Cyberjustice – Promotion 2023/2024
#ThePhone #Innovation #Children #Dependency #Cyberbullying #Law
Sources :
- https://thephone.fr/lhistoire-de-the-phone
- https://www.frandroid.com/produits-android/smartphone/2008136_the-phone-un-telephone-sans-internet-pour-les-ados-voici-ce-quil-propose-et-pourquoi-cest-un-probleme
- https://www.bfmtv.com/tech/vie-numerique/un-smartphone-sans-internet-les-createurs-du-telephone-pour-ados-a-100-euros-defendent-leur-produit_AV-202405110025.html
- https://www.francetvinfo.fr/replay-radio/nouveau-monde/the-phone-le-plus-basique-des-telephones-portables-attendu-avant-la-rentree_6496775.html
