Will smartphones come with a child lock now?

Motion detectors can deactivate the device automatically when the child is walking to prevent them from being distracted.

A Japanese company has created a new smartphone case designed to help parents prevent their children from becoming addicted to their mobiles, the UK's Telegraph reported on Tuesday.  The 'OTOMOS' case, which can only be removed with a purpose-built screwdriver, lets parents set time restrictions on their child's smartphone, via an app.
Motion detectors can deactivate the device automatically when the child is walking to prevent them from being distracted. The case, which is built by the Kobe-based Momo Ltd, is also capable of sending automatic messages to parents if it detects a significant physical shock, such as would be the case in an accident.
"We have developed the product after hearing many views and concerns of parents who have children using smartphones," Masato Otsu, president of Momo Ltd, told Kyodo news agency. "All you have to do is just attach the case, so it is very easy to use."
The case will become available to parents in August, with a two-year contract including the case and application fee costing around 500 yen (Dh17).
Other global companies are currently creating software and apps to help parents monitor and manage their children's internet access, or alert them to inappropriate selfies or pictures being sent or received.
Last week, Japan's National Police published figures which revealed that a record number of Japanese children were becoming the victims of crimes, such as molestation, through the use of social media.
A total of 1,736 children under 18 fell victim in 2016, twice the amount recorded in 2008 when statistics were first kept. Over 86 per cent fell victim through their smart phone.