Spacetalk launches family app for safety, privacy & wellbeing

Australian technology company Spacetalk has introduced a new app aimed at centralising digital management for families. The Freedom Platform is designed to streamline household organisation, communication, and digital safety by integrating smartphones, wearables, and secure connectivity within a single ecosystem.

Family management

The company's new app addresses the challenge faced by parents and carers who often rely on varied applications and devices to juggle their responsibilities. According to Spacetalk, more than 1.5 million Australians fall into the "sandwich generation", looking after both children and ageing parents. The launch targets these families by creating an integrated platform that encompasses features for scheduling, location-tracking, and wellbeing checks across all age groups.

A notable element is the Spaces function, which allows users to set up dedicated communication groups. These Spaces enable check-ins, messaging, and video calls. The app's architecture ensures that anyone - from children with a Spacetalk watch to grandparents on a smartphone - can be part of these groups. Admins control access, with options to add extended family and carers into the loop.

Safety features

Digital security and online content control are embedded as core offerings. The timing of the app aligns with upcoming changes in Australia's online environment, including an under-16s social media ban set for late 2025. Spacetalk's new system will provide parents with direct oversight of the digital content accessible to children, including websites and apps.

Location monitoring is another key aspect. The app allows families to define 'safe places' such as school or a relative's house and establish regular routes, issuing real-time notifications when members arrive, depart, or deviate from these areas. The live map feature shows the whereabouts of all connected family members, accompanied by information such as battery status and wellbeing updates from compatible devices.

An SOS alert function delivers rapid notifications if urgent assistance is needed, intended to reassure users and enable prompt responses in case of emergencies.

Privacy and control

Spacetalk highlights its privacy-first approach, stating that all data is stored on Australian servers and is not sold or used for advertising purposes. This positioning sets it apart from many international competitors that rely on cloud-based or third-party data handling.

"Families should not need multiple apps and devices to stay connected and look out for each other. We designed Spacetalk as a Freedom Platform: one app, one view, where families can stay in touch, manage responsibilities, and support independence safely and simply," said Simon Crowther, CEO, Spacetalk.

Further addressing privacy, Crowther added, "We're also proud to be a privacy-first Australian-owned company, meaning we store data locally, and never sell personal information or use data for advertising, giving families a truly trusted solution."

Subscriptions and devices

The Freedom Platform operates through a tiered membership model. The Lite version offers complimentary access to basic features. The Plus membership, bundled at no additional charge with Spacetalk mobile plans, includes enhanced functionality such as the ability to set up multiple Spaces and geographic safe zones. The Max tier supports larger family networks with additional spaces and limitless location monitoring options.

Spacetalk is facilitating the transition for new users by providing a one-month trial of the Plus membership. The app remains free to download, and the company's mobile SIM offerings are tailored for use across both Spacetalk smartwatches and traditional smartphones. This modular system aims to make it easier for children to graduate from watch-based to phone-based connectivity as they grow older, without changing networks or plans.

Spacetalk emphasises that the new app is designed for use by any family member regardless of device or age, consolidating the management of safety, communication, and digital wellbeing.