Fairer Phones Project

They connect us, entertain us, and inspire us. We believe in the power of phones and technology to positively connect us to the people and world around us. But, we believe it’s unfair when phones cause disconnection or a lack of balance.

That’s why we have created the Fairer Phones Project, a commitment to promote healthier, safer, fairer behaviours amongst all phone users. Because when you stand for fairness, you don’t stop at fairer prices. You make phones fairer, full stop.

Our Fairer Phones Project initiatives

Image of the first phones pack on a blue background

First Phones Programme

In 2023 we introduced the 2degrees First Phones programme which teaches our tamariki digital literacy at a pivotal moment— when they receive their first phone.

Image of a woman in a denim jacket showing man her phone

Notifications

We’re helping kiwis take control of their notifications before their notifications take control of them. From guiding young people to educating adults, we’re supporting everyone to use their phones more mindfully.

Girl lying down on the sofa with her head on the pillow on her mobile phone

Real Mode

We believe in the awesome power of technology to connect us. But are we really getting closer? Real Mode is a way to pause your digital life and press play on real world connections.

A note from the expert

Nobody is talking about first phones yet. It’s arguably the most important conversation we should be having with every child and parent in New Zealand. It’s the gateway to how people behave on the internet.

Sean Lyons

Chief Online Safety Officer, Netsafe

61%

of kiwis are concerned about misinformation

Be a detective when scrolling. Not everything you read online is true—so double-check your sources, and don't fall for wild stories or "too good to be true" claims. Misinformation can spread faster than a viral cat video, but you’ve got the tools to spot it. Stay skeptical, stay smart, and always trust the facts, not the fluff!

60%

of New Zealanders deal with scams at least once per month.

Scammers are always lurking so stay alert! Trust your gut, if something feels off, it probably is. Whether it’s an email, call, or text, don’t ignore that gut feeling. If you’re sceptical always take a deep breath and slow things down. Watch out for spelling or grammar errors, those can often signal that what you're looking at might be a scam.

$22.5m

was the approximate monetary loss reported in 2024 due to scams

Getting scammed can seriously hurt your wallet. One minute you're feeling confident, the next your hard-earned cash is gone. These fraudsters are skilled at throwing fake deals and panic situations at you, so you rush into decisions that cost you big time. The best thing you can do for your bank account is to not engage and report anything suspicious straight away.

87%

of parents are worried about what their children are viewing online

The internet is an amazing resource, offering a bit of everything! But alongside the gems, there's also some junk. It's no surprise that parents are cautious. By using filters, parental controls, and having open conversations, we can help kids enjoy a safer and more fun online experience.

Let’s build Fairer Phone habits