Spam calls and texts aren’t just annoying – for children, they can be confusing, intrusive, and sometimes even dangerous. From scam attempts to persistent nuisance calls, giving your child a phone without protection can quickly turn into a problem.
The good news? You can eliminate spam texts and calls with the right setup.
Why Do Children Get Spam Calls?
Even if your child’s number isn’t widely shared, spam can still happen because:
- Numbers are generated randomly by auto-diallers
- Previous users of recycled numbers signed up to services
- Data leaks or sign-ups (apps, games, websites)
- Friends sharing numbers without realising
Children are particularly vulnerable because they:
- Are more likely to answer unknown numbers
- May not recognise scams
- Can feel pressured to respond
Use a Mobile Network That Pre-Registers Your Child’s Number with the TPS
In the UK, the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) is the official “do not call” register – designed to stop legitimate companies from making unsolicited sales calls.
Most people have to register their number manually… and many simply don’t.
A smarter approach for parents
ParentShield is currently the only UK mobile network that pre-registers children’s numbers with the TPS as standard.
What this means for you:
- ✅ Your child’s number is protected automatically
- ✅ No need to remember to register
- ✅ Reduces legitimate marketing calls from day one
Important to understand:
- TPS helps stop legitimate UK businesses
- It won’t stop scammers or overseas spam calls
That’s why TPS should be your first layer of protection – but not your only one.
Why this matters
When a child gets their first phone, it’s easy to overlook things like TPS registration.
By using a network like ParentShield that builds this in:
- You remove a step
- Reduce risk immediately
- And start from a safer baseline
Use a Mobile Network That Lets You Block Numbers Remotely
Most phones let you block numbers directly on the handset – but for parents, that’s often not practical.
The problem with phone-level blocking:
- ❌ You need access to your child’s phone
- ❌ Kids can accidentally unblock numbers
- ❌ It relies on your child remembering to tell you
A Better Approach: Remote Blocking at Network Level
With ParentShield, you can block numbers remotely from your parent portal – without needing the phone in your hand.
How it works:
- View all calls and texts (incoming, outgoing, missed, blocked)
- Spot unknown or suspicious numbers
- Tap to block instantly
- The number is blocked at the network level
Why Network-Level Blocking Is More Effective
Blocking at network level means:
- The call or text never reaches your child’s phone again
- No ringing, no notification, no temptation to answer
- Works even if the phone is restarted or reset
- Fully controlled by the parent — not the child
Ultra-Secure Mode: The Smartest Way to Protect Your Child’s Phone
Block Everything Except Trusted Contacts
This is the most powerful feature for eliminating spam.
How it works:
- Your child can only call and text and receive calls and texts from approved numbers
- Everything else is automatically blocked
- The same applies to both calls and text messages
What this means:
- ❌ No spam calls
- ❌ No scam texts
- ❌ No unknown contacts getting through
Only:
- ✅ Parents
- ✅ Family
- ✅ Trusted contacts
…can reach your child.
It’s essentially a closed network for your child’s phone
Safe List & Home Numbers
With ParentShield, you define exactly who your child can communicate with:
- Safe List → approved contacts
Even if allowances run out:
- Home Numbers can still be contacted
- Giving peace of mind in emergencies
Instant Alerts for New Contacts
If Ultra-Secure Mode isn’t enabled, you get:
- Alerts when a new number contacts your child
- Full visibility of incoming and outgoing calls and texts
- Read the messages and listen to the calls
If Ultra-Secure Mode is enabled, you get:
- Alerts when a new number attempts to contact your child
- Full visibility of the blocked incoming and outgoing calls
- The ability to read the blocked messages
Bonus Protection: Block Verification Codes
Many apps (like WhatsApp, Snapchat, TikTok) use SMS codes to activate accounts.
ParentShield can optionally:
- Intercept these messages
- Stop them reaching your child’s phone
- Alert you instead
Prevent accounts being set up without your knowledge by blocking Machine to Person Messages
Phone Based Controls vs ParentShield Protection
| Feature | Phone based blocking | ParentShield |
|---|---|---|
| Block individual numbers | ✅ | ✅ |
| Stop unknown callers remotely | ❌ | ✅ |
| Whitelist approved contacts only remotely | ❌ | ✅ |
| Monitor all call attempts | ❌ | ✅ |
| Monitor all text attempts | ❌ | ✅ |
| Prevent spam before it reaches phone | ❌ | ✅ |
| Remote blocking by parent | ❌ | ✅ |
| Requires access to child’s phone | ✅ | ❌ |
| Works if phone is reset or changed | ❌ | ✅ |
| Alerts for new/unknown contacts | ❌ | ✅ |
| Full visibility of missed calls | ❌ | ✅ |
| Block at network level (not device) | ❌ | ✅ |
| Child can override settings | ✅ | ❌ |
| Protection active 24/7 automatically | ❌ | ✅ |
