Call screening for children and teens without cutting off trusted adults

What should children and teens know about unexpected calls?

Unexpected callers may pretend to be from a school, business, delivery service, or family member. They may create urgency, offer a prize, or ask for personal details. The FTC’s parent conversation guide about scam messages recommends talking through pressure, unexpected contact, and requests for personal or financial information.

What is a useful family call plan?

• Do not give a caller a home address, school schedule, location, password, one-time code, or family financial information.
• Do not send money, gift-card numbers, cryptocurrency, or payment-app transfers because of an unexpected contact.
• End the call and tell a parent, guardian, or another trusted adult. Save a screenshot or voicemail only when it is safe to do so.
• For a real emergency, use the family’s normal local emergency plan and the normal carrier’s 911 service.

How can families talk about privacy without fear?

Keep the conversation practical: people online or on the phone may not be who they claim to be, and private details can be used to make a story sound convincing. The FTC’s children’s privacy guidance explains the types of information families should consider before sharing online.

Should every unfamiliar call be blocked?

Not automatically. A strong filter can hide wanted calls from a school, medical office, pharmacy, or a caregiver, and no setting can promise perfect protection. Start with labels or screening and review missed-call and voicemail options together. The call-screening options guide explains those trade-offs, while the Privacy Guide for U.S. households covers broader privacy steps.