How to Block Text Messages on Android and iPhone?

We're living in an era of technology and never before in human history have we had the ability to connect with people around the world so effortlessly. Of course, this creates some incredible opportunities for staying in contact with the people we love and having a tonne of information at our fingertips, but there are downsides.

As parents, we'll already know that our children have access to technology at a far younger age than we did, but what happens when people are contacting our children's devices when we don't want them to?

Whether it's spam or your child has accidentally signed up to service using their number and are now receiving text messages from strangers or businesses, knowing how to block these text messages is an important process that all parents should be aware of.

Today, we're going to teach you everything you need to know on how to do this, as well as informing you on several applications that can help you manage and monitor your child's device.

How to Block Text Messages on iPhone?

If your child is the owner of an iOS device, whether that's an iPhone or even an iPad, blocking a text message or contact has never been easier. Here's how.

Block a Contact

If your child his receiving text messages from a contact that is saved on their device, you can easily block the contact from calling or sending text messages completely.

1. Access the Phone app from the main menu of the device
2. Click the Contacts option and find the contact you wish to block
3. At the bottom of the contact options, tap the Block this Contact option
4. Confirm that you wish to block the contact

Block an Unknown Contact

In other cases, your child may be receiving text messages and phone calls from a number that isn't saved on the device. Blocking these numbers is just as easy as before.

1. From the main menu, open the Messages app where the text messages are received
2. Open the text message from the number you wish to block
3. Tap the Details option in the top right-hand side
4. At the bottom of the menu, tap the Block this Caller option
5. Confirm that you wish to block this contact

How to Block Text Messages on Android?

If your child is using an Android device, the process is slightly different to if you're blocking from an iPhone, but it's still just as simple.

Blocking a Saved Contact

If your child is receiving text messages or phone calls from a number saved on their device, here's how to block them.

1. Open the Settings menu from the main menu of your device
2. Tap the Call Rejection, Call Blocking or Call Settings option, depending on what device you have
3. Tap the Block List option
4. Find the contact you wish to block and confirm the action you wish to take

Block Unknown Contact on Android

If your child is receiving text messages and phone calls from an unknown number that isn't saved on your child's device, here's how you can block it.

1. Open the Message, Contact or SMS application that the device uses for messaging
2. Locate the text message you wish to block and hold down the message
3. Tick the box of the message and tap the Block icon on the top right-hand side
4. Confirm that you wish to take this action

5 Apps to Block Text Messages

While these methods for blocking contacts are effective, it does require you to have access to your child's device and means that you'll need to be aware of the fact that your child is receiving these communications in the first place.

However, since this isn't always possible, the sure-fire way to make sure that this doesn't become a problem is by investing in a parental control app that can not only block contacts and text messages, but also provides a full range of other monitoring features that can help you keep your child's well-being a priority at all times, even without physical access to the device.

Here are the top five apps that are available today.

#1 - Qustodio

If you're looking for a way to monitor multiple devices in your family, Qusotdio is an app that offers a competitive family plan while providing you with a full range of features for a complete monitoring experience. This helps you effortlessly track your child's device usage and content access.

Features

• Easy to use interface suitable for all parents
• See all activity that takes place on the device, including internet usage and app access
• Remotely view all internet data, such as websites accessed and downloaded files
• Monitor and restrict all contacts, SMS messages and social media messages

Price - Prices start a $54.95 per year

Supported OS - Android / iOS

#2 - ESET Parental Control App

If you're in need of a parental control app that has been specially designed to work on computers and mobile devices, ESET Parental Control App provides the answer. With all the features you need to monitor every aspect of the device, you can keep your child's well-being prioritized at all times.

Features

• Send remote messages to the device when you need to
• Real-time GPS location tracking
• Block and unblock access to applications as you need to
• Complete internet monitoring suite
• Complete control over SMS, instant messages, phone calls and allowed contacts

Price - Prices start at ￡19.99 a year

Supported OS - Android / iOS / Windows / Mac / Linux

#3 - Norton Family Premier

Norton has been an internet monitoring and internet leader for decades and their Family Premier package to help you monitor and control your child's device usage is no exception when it comes to quality and functionality.

Features

• Monitor and track all internet activity
• View screen time statistics and block device access at any time
• See all social media activity
• See all communications that take place through the device (calls, SMS, and instant messages)
• Monthly, weekly and daily reports on device usage

Price - Prices start at $49.99 per year

Supported OS - Android / iOS

#4 - Clean Inbox - SMS Blocker

If you're looking for an Android app that can give you the ability to block text messages, contacts, and help to manage the communications your receive on your device, this could be everything you've been searching for.

Features

• Block all calls, SMS messages, instant messages, and contacts
• Award-winning spam block technology
• No limit on how many numbers and contacts you can block
• Free from advertisements

Price - Free

Supported OS - Android

How to Detect Rrisky Text Messages?

FamiSafe is incredibly easy to use, quick to install, compatible with iOS and Android devices, and even comes with a free trial period to get you started, giving you the best opportunities to keep your child's well-being safe at all times.

Some of the features you can find include the ability to monitor, track and block apps that are installed on the device, so you can receive alerts about signs of cyberbullying, sexting, predators from kids' social media texts on some specific apps.