Rebel Telecom Co-Founder and CTO Eli Samuel joined the WYTPod to talk about his journey from rabbinical school to building mission-driven technology for families — and why the first smartphone a child receives matters more than most parents realise.

Eli's journey into technology began while studying at a rabbinical school in New York. As smartphones became increasingly commonplace, the school was looking for ways to help students use new technology safely. Existing parental controls were proving insufficient, prompting Eli to search for another solution.

That search eventually led him to Android. Realising the operating system could be customised, Eli began developing his own version, creating a controlled ecosystem designed to give users the benefits of a smartphone without unrestricted access to everything online. What started as a solution for one school eventually grew into technology used across multiple communities.

Today, that experience underpins the technology behind the Rebel Phone.

This experience inspired Eli to ask more questions of tech. Why should a child's first smartphone automatically give them access to the same digital environment as an adult?

Eli believes there is another way. Rather than removing technology entirely, families can introduce it gradually and with safeguards already built in. It is an approach increasingly relevant as conversations around digital wellbeing become more mainstream.

The Rebel Phone is built around that principle. Instead of relying solely on parental controls added to a conventional smartphone - protections are woven into the operating system, and can't be removed. Eli explains that this prevents unresticted web browsing and even works to prevent browsing from within approved apps.

It means children can still benefit from the independence and functionality that comes with having their own phone, without parents immediately having to open the door to the entire internet.

You can enjoy the full interview below.