21
May
2026
How to Block Unknown Callers on Your Child’s Phone
May 21, 2026
Learn how to block unknown callers on your child’s phone to protect against strangers, predators, and unwanted contact – practical steps every parent needs to know.
Table of Contents
- What Blocking Unknown Callers Really Means
- Why Unknown Caller Risks Are a Real Parenting Concern
- How to Block Unknown Callers on Android and iOS
- Beyond Blocking: Monitoring Calls and Texts for Deeper Safety
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Comparing Your Options to Block Unknown Callers
- How Boomerang Parental Control Helps
- Practical Tips for Parents
- The Bottom Line
- Sources & Citations
Article Snapshot
Block unknown callers on your child’s phone is a targeted safety measure that prevents contact from numbers not saved in the child’s contacts list. It reduces exposure to strangers, solicitors, and potential predators, and works best when combined with call monitoring and a parental control app like Boomerang.
What Blocking Unknown Callers Really Means
To block unknown callers on your child’s phone means configuring the device to automatically reject or silence incoming calls from numbers that are not saved in the child’s contact list. This is not the same as blocking a single specific number – it is a blanket filter that stops any unrecognized caller from reaching your child without your knowledge. For parents handing a pre-teen their first Android device, this distinction matters enormously.
When a call comes in from a number not stored in contacts, the device either rejects it silently, sends it straight to voicemail, or plays a disconnection tone depending on the setting chosen. The child never sees the call, never feels pressure to answer, and the unknown party cannot establish contact. This passive, automated approach is exactly the kind of neutral enforcement that works best for families – the phone handles the rule, not the parent.
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Boomerang Parental Control was built with this philosophy at its core. Rather than requiring parents to manually police every call, the platform uses automated controls on Android devices so that your safety rules run in the background, consistently, without daily effort from you. Understanding how call blocking fits into a broader parental control strategy helps you choose the right combination of tools for your family.
It is also worth clarifying what call blocking does not cover. Blocking unknown callers does not filter text messages from unknown numbers, does not monitor who your child calls outbound, and does not alert you when a blocked call attempt occurs. Those functions require a dedicated parental monitoring layer, which we cover in detail in Section 4.
Why Unknown Caller Risks Are a Real Parenting Concern
Children with personal mobile devices face communication risks that go beyond inappropriate websites and social media content. Unknown callers represent a direct, real-time channel through which strangers can reach your child, and children – particularly those aged 8 to 13 – often lack the judgment to screen calls confidently or handle manipulative contact.
The risks break into several categories. Spam and telemarketing calls are a low-level nuisance but expose children to persuasive sales tactics or scam attempts. Robocalls promoting adult services or fraudulent schemes reach every phone indiscriminately. More seriously, predatory adults have been documented using phone contact as a first step to building relationships with minors, using spoofed local numbers to appear familiar or trustworthy.
Children who have just received their first smartphone are particularly vulnerable. They are often excited to answer any call, do not yet understand the concept of phone scams, and do not tell a parent if an unknown caller said something uncomfortable. By the time a parent finds out, the contact has already occurred.
The Gap That Basic Device Settings Leave Open
Most Android and iOS devices include a built-in option to silence unknown callers, but these settings operate at the carrier or device level with no parental visibility. A child can turn them off in seconds from the phone settings menu. There is no alert to the parent when the setting is disabled, and there is no log of blocked call attempts. For a teenager who is motivated to stay reachable by new contacts, disabling a system-level call filter takes under thirty seconds.
This is the gap that a dedicated parental control app fills. When call management is handled by a parental control layer with uninstall protection and PIN-gated settings, the child cannot simply switch the protection off. Parents also gain a log of call activity, which provides the visibility that device-level settings alone cannot offer.
For families using Android devices, this level of protection is achievable today. Parental control apps designed specifically for Android, like Boomerang, provide Call and Text Safety features that go well beyond what the built-in phone settings can enforce. Families on iOS will find that native Apple tools offer more limited call management options – a platform difference worth understanding before choosing your approach.
How to Block Unknown Callers on Android and iOS
Setting up call blocking on your child’s phone involves a few different layers, and the options available depend significantly on whether the device is Android or iOS. Starting with the device’s native settings is a useful first step, but it should not be your only step.
Blocking Unknown Callers on Android
On most Android devices, open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu or Settings icon, and look for a Spam and Calls or Call Blocking section. On Samsung Galaxy devices, this sits under Phone > Settings > Block Numbers, where you can toggle on a setting to block calls from unknown numbers or private numbers. Google Pixel devices offer similar controls through the Phone by Google app under Settings > Spam and Call Screen.
The limitation with these native Android controls is that they are fully accessible to the child. A child can open Phone Settings in under a minute and disable the block. There is also no notification sent to a parent when the setting changes or when a blocked call attempt is made. For a first-device situation where you want protection that sticks, pairing Android’s native setting with a parental control app gives you both the filter and the enforcement layer that keeps it in place.
On Android, Boomerang Parental Control – Taking the battle out of screen time for Android and iOS adds a Call and Text Safety feature that allows parents to block calls from numbers not saved in the child’s contacts. Unlike the phone’s native setting, this is managed through the parent’s app and is protected by uninstall controls, meaning the child cannot simply switch it off.
Blocking Unknown Callers on iOS
On iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers. When enabled, calls from numbers not in your contacts, recent outgoing calls, or Siri suggestions are automatically silenced and sent to voicemail. This is a useful baseline setting, but it has the same vulnerability as Android’s native option – any child with access to Settings can turn it off.
iOS parental control options for call management are more limited than Android. Apple Screen Time does not include a native call-blocking or call-monitoring feature. Third-party parental control apps on iOS also face tighter Apple platform restrictions, which means the depth of call management available on Android is not replicated on iPhone. Parents of iOS-using children should set Silence Unknown Callers as a baseline while understanding that it is not enforced at the parental control layer in the same way Android allows.
For families where the child uses an Android device and the parent uses an iPhone, Boomerang’s parent app runs on iOS and manages the child’s Android device remotely – you do not need to have an Android phone yourself to use the full feature set.
Beyond Blocking: Monitoring Calls and Texts for Deeper Safety
Blocking unknown callers on your child’s phone is a strong preventive measure, but it addresses only one dimension of communication risk. A comprehensive approach to your child’s phone safety also includes monitoring who your child contacts, detecting inappropriate content in text messages, and receiving alerts when something concerning appears – before it becomes a serious problem.
Call and text monitoring on Android devices provides the visibility layer that blocking alone cannot deliver. When you can see a log of incoming and outgoing calls, you have confirmation that your child’s contact patterns are consistent with what you expect. If an unfamiliar number starts appearing repeatedly in outgoing calls, you can investigate before it escalates. This kind of pattern recognition is not possible if you only block unknown inbound calls and review nothing else.
Keyword Alerts in Text Messages
Text-based communication carries its own set of risks. Cyberbullying, inappropriate contact from strangers, and peer pressure to engage in risky behavior surface in SMS conversations before they show up anywhere else. Keyword alerting in text messages works by scanning outgoing and incoming messages for specific terms – words associated with bullying, self-harm, substance use, or explicit content – and sending the parent an alert when a match is detected.
This feature is available on Android through Boomerang’s Call and Text Safety tools. Parents do not read every individual message; instead, they receive targeted alerts only when a keyword triggers a match. This strikes a balance between necessary oversight and age-appropriate privacy for older children and teenagers.
For parents of teenagers who have already bypassed simpler controls, the combination of enforced call blocking, keyword SMS alerts, and uninstall protection creates a monitoring environment that is genuinely difficult to defeat. As TechRadar reviewed Boomerang’s approach to persistent parental controls, the emphasis on controls that remain active even when a tech-savvy teen tries to circumvent them addresses a pain point that free built-in tools consistently fail to solve.
Be transparent with your child about these monitoring features. Informing your child that call and text activity is monitored – without necessarily specifying every detail – sets a clear expectation of accountability and is more effective at guiding behavior than covert monitoring alone. This approach also preserves the trust relationship that becomes especially important during the teenage years.
Your Most Common Questions
Will blocking unknown callers prevent all unwanted contact on my child’s phone?
Blocking unknown callers on your child’s phone stops inbound calls from numbers not saved in contacts, which eliminates a significant channel for unwanted contact. However, it does not cover all communication channels. Text messages from unknown numbers are a separate function – blocking calls does not automatically block SMS from unrecognized senders. Messaging apps like WhatsApp, Snapchat, or Instagram Direct also operate independently of the phone’s call system, so contact through those platforms is not affected by call blocking settings. For comprehensive protection, call blocking should be combined with app management controls to restrict which messaging apps are installed, web filtering to reduce exposure to platforms that facilitate stranger contact, and text monitoring features on Android to catch risky SMS content. A parental control app that integrates all of these functions provides more complete coverage than any single setting can offer on its own.
Can my child turn off the call blocking setting without me knowing?
With native device settings alone, yes – your child can disable call blocking in under a minute by opening Phone Settings. There is no parental alert triggered when a system-level setting changes, and there is no PIN required. This is one of the most common frustrations parents encounter with built-in controls: a rule that can be turned off instantly is not really a rule. The solution is to manage call blocking through a parental control app that sits above the device settings layer and is protected by its own PIN and uninstall protection. On Android devices, Boomerang’s Call and Text Safety feature is managed through the parent’s account – not through the child’s phone settings – and the app itself is protected against removal by the child. On Samsung devices, Samsung Knox integration makes the app exceptionally resistant to tampering, even for tech-savvy teenagers who have already defeated simpler tools like Google Family Link.
Does blocking unknown callers work differently on Android versus iPhone?
Yes, there is a meaningful difference between the two platforms, and it matters for parents choosing how to manage their child’s phone. On iPhone, the Silence Unknown Callers feature is built into iOS settings and works reliably as a basic filter, but it cannot be locked from the parental side – any child with access to Settings can disable it. Apple Screen Time does not include call management tools, and third-party apps on iOS face platform restrictions that limit how deeply they can interact with call functions. On Android, the built-in call blocking options are similarly accessible to the child, but parental control apps like Boomerang can take over call management at a deeper level. Boomerang’s Call and Text Safety feature on Android allows parents to block calls from unsaved numbers through the parental control layer, with protection against the child disabling or removing the control. This Android-first depth of call management is one of the reasons families with Android child devices have access to stronger protections than iOS-only households currently achieve.
At what age should I start using call blocking on my child’s phone?
Call blocking is most relevant from the moment a child receives their first personal mobile device – between ages 8 and 12 for most North American families. At this age, children have not yet developed consistent judgment about unknown callers and are unlikely to recognize phone scams, manipulative tactics, or the warning signs of inappropriate contact. Enabling call blocking from day one establishes a safe baseline before any problematic contact patterns develop. As children move into their early teenage years, the specific controls you use shift from blanket blocking to a combination of blocking unknown numbers and monitoring known contact patterns – with transparency about what is being monitored. The goal is to gradually hand responsibility back to the child as they show trustworthy behavior, while maintaining a safety net that protects against risks they are not yet equipped to handle on their own. Starting strict and relaxing controls over time is consistently more effective than trying to add restrictions after problems have already appeared.
Comparing Your Options to Block Unknown Callers
Parents have several approaches available when choosing how to block unknown callers on a child’s phone. Each option sits at a different level of the device, offers different degrees of parental control, and varies in how easily a determined child can circumvent it. The table below compares the four main approaches across the factors that matter most to families.
| Approach | Enforced at Parental Level | Child Can Disable | Call Log Visibility | Covers Android & iOS | Keyword SMS Alerts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Native device setting (Android/iOS) | No | Yes, easily | No | Both (limited) | No |
| Carrier-level call blocking | Depends on carrier plan | Sometimes | Rarely | Both | No |
| Free built-in tools (Google Family Link, Apple Screen Time) | Partial | Possible | Limited | Platform-specific | No |
| Dedicated parental control app (e.g., Boomerang) | Yes | No (PIN + uninstall protection) | Yes (Android) | Android-primary | Yes (Android) |
For families where Android is the child’s device platform, a dedicated parental control app consistently delivers the most complete protection. Native settings and free built-in tools provide a useful starting point but leave meaningful gaps that a motivated child or teenager can exploit. Carrier-level blocking varies widely by provider and plan and rarely includes parental visibility features.
How Boomerang Parental Control Helps Keep Your Child’s Calls Safe
Boomerang Parental Control gives parents on Android devices a Call and Text Safety feature that goes well beyond what the phone’s own settings can provide. Through the parent’s app – which runs on both Android and iOS – you can configure call controls for your child’s Android phone and review call and SMS activity from your own device, without needing physical access to the child’s phone.
The core function for families concerned about unknown callers is the ability to block calls from numbers not in the child’s contact list. Unlike the phone’s built-in setting, this control is managed entirely through your parent account. The child’s phone enforces the rule automatically, and your settings are protected by Boomerang’s Samsung Knox integration – an enterprise mobile security solution pre-installed in most Samsung smartphones and tablets – making the app exceptionally difficult for children to tamper with or remove, even on devices where teens have previously defeated simpler controls.
Beyond call blocking, Boomerang’s platform includes SMS keyword alerting that notifies you when messages containing flagged words appear on your child’s Android phone. You receive a targeted alert rather than reading every message, which keeps oversight proportionate and preserves a reasonable level of privacy for your child while still surfacing genuine risks.
Two parents who have used Boomerang with their children describe the experience in their own words:
“Hey fellow parents, So far this the best parental control app .. hands down. So far the only app my 11 year old was not able to bypass. Big Shout out to developers for making such a great app.” – Jason H, Google Play review
“I have control back over my child’s phone and applications because she managed to circumvent family link. I have no idea how she did that but she managed to find a way, as did other kids. That was a major frustration for us. But now with Boomerang, I can manage her time, what applications she uses and what sites she visits.” – Joe Eagles, Google Play review
Boomerang also integrates SPIN Safe Browser – Safe web browsing for Boomerang Parental Control for families who want safe browsing protection alongside their call safety setup. SPIN blocks inappropriate websites automatically on any network without requiring a VPN or router configuration – a practical addition for parents setting up a first device from scratch.
Subscriptions are available on an annual basis for a single device or as a Family Pack covering up to 10 child devices. You can explore the full Boomerang Parental Control screen time features on the website or contact the team at [email protected] for questions before signing up.
Practical Tips for Parents Setting Up Call Safety
Start with native settings as your immediate baseline. Before you have finished setting up a parental control app, turn on Silence Unknown Callers on iOS or Block Unknown Numbers in the Android Phone app. It takes under two minutes and provides basic protection from the first day your child uses the phone.
Pair device settings with a parental control app for enforcement. Native settings are a starting point, not a solution on their own. A child who wants to receive calls from new contacts can disable the setting quickly. Using a parental control app with PIN-protected call management ensures the rule stays in place without your daily involvement.
Communicate your rules clearly and early. Tell your child that call blocking is active on their phone, why it is there, and what they should do if they expect a call from a new number – such as asking you to add the number to their contacts. Children who understand the reason for a rule are less likely to feel unfairly restricted and more likely to work within the system.
Review call logs periodically, not obsessively. On Android devices with call monitoring active, a weekly review of call and SMS patterns is sufficient for most families. You are looking for patterns that do not fit – repeated calls to or from numbers you do not recognize – not reading individual messages line by line.
Use the App Approval feature to control messaging apps. Call blocking addresses the phone call channel. Messaging apps like WhatsApp and Snapchat are a separate exposure. On Android, Boomerang’s App Discovery and Approval feature requires your sign-off before any new app is installed, which gives you a gate on every messaging platform before your child gains access to it. You can find the full sideload download page for Android devices to get Boomerang set up with the complete protection package including call safety and uninstall protection.
Revisit and adjust controls as your child gets older. The call safety setup that is right for a ten-year-old on their first phone is different from what is appropriate for a fifteen-year-old who has shown responsible behavior. Building in annual reviews of what controls are active, and discussing them with your child, reinforces that the goal is trust-building and gradual independence – not permanent surveillance.
For iOS child devices, set expectations honestly. If your child uses an iPhone, be transparent that call monitoring depth is more limited on iOS than on Android. Use Silence Unknown Callers as your native layer, set up Screen Time restrictions for other content, and consider whether an Android device might better suit your family’s safety requirements if call monitoring is a high priority. Independent reviewers at SafeWise have reviewed Boomerang’s overall parental control approach and noted the Android-first depth as a genuine differentiator for families with Android child devices.
The Bottom Line
Block unknown callers on your child’s phone is one of the most straightforward safety steps a parent can take, and it should be active from the first day a child has a personal mobile device. Native device settings provide a quick baseline, but they are easy for children to disable and offer no visibility to the parent. For families using Android devices, a parental control app with enforced call blocking, SMS keyword alerts, and uninstall protection gives you reliable, automated protection that does not depend on your child’s cooperation.
Boomerang Parental Control combines call and text safety, screen time management, location tracking, and web filtering in a single platform built specifically for families with Android devices. If call safety is a priority for your household, explore Boomerang’s full feature set at useboomerang.com or reach out directly at [email protected] to ask questions before you get started.
Sources & Citations
- Boomerang Parental Control – Taking the Battle out of Screen Time. Boomerang Parental Control.
https://useboomerang.com/ - SPIN Safe Browser – Safe Web Browsing for Kids. SPIN Safe Browser.
https://spinsafebrowser.com/ - Boomerang Parental Control Review. TechRadar.
https://www.techradar.com/reviews/boomerang-parental-control-software - Boomerang Parental Control Review. SafeWise.
https://www.safewise.com/boomerang-parental-control-review
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