Dublin company develops smartphone for children

Ellie Donnelly

Dublin-based The Zyalin Group has developed smartphones designed specifically for children.

In partnership with larger rival Transsion Holdings, Zyalin has designed the iKydz Tecno & Infinix smartphones specifically for use by children and teens to help keep them safe online.

The phones work to keep children safe through an app on a parent's digital device that allows parents to restrict time online, block unsuitable content, and manage social media apps through, for instance, blocking or allowing access during specific times.

"Our kid-safe phones can be used anywhere in the world and controlled by parents or guardians remotely from any location," John Molloy, Zyalin CEO, said.

"It's the solution that every concerned parent has been looking for. We're proud to have played our part in keeping kids safer."

Unlike other older technologies, Zyalin say that their iKydz Tecno & Infinix Smartphones use iKydz embedded technology to ensure they cannot be compromised by children.

Initially the phones will be promoted in the Middle East, African and the Asia Pacific markets by Transsion, and the phones will cost in the region of $70-$220 (€57-€180).

The phones can be used use on any network, and can be customised to specific operator needs.

Zyalin, an Enterprise Ireland backed High Potential Start-Up, already has offices in London, Malta, and Nigeria, as well as its headquarters in Dublin.

Commenting on the launch of the phones, Joe Healy, manager of the High Potential Start-Ups division at Enterprise Ireland said that the State agency looked forward to supporting the company’s global ambition in the future.