How to deal with DS getting texts from unknown number

[DunnocksPuns]

DS is Y7. For the last few weeks, he’s been getting text messages from someone who we think must be another boy at school.

Short messages like “U suck”, “Gay Boy”, “Get Lost”. With various emojis. Sometimes it’s just emojis - alien faces, skulls etc.

He’s just been deleting but it’s concerning. I don’t want him to end up anxious. No known problems at school. It’s not the phone number of anyone in his contacts.

Should we block the number? Tell his form tutor? Do something else?

We’ve not had to navigate this sort of thing before.

Thanks.

Can't you just block the number?

Why did you not just block it after the first couple of messages?!

Why on earth haven't you blocked it already?

I would make a note of the number then block it. Then post in the parent’s WhatsApp to “warn” them you have been getting malicious texts from this number and for them to be aware - no accusation just sharing information.

Take screen shots of the messages, write/save the number and block.

If it starts up again, I would speak to school.

Hope your DS is ok.

Ring it off your phone, don’t say anything see if ds notices the voice. Block on his phone.

Why are you asking whether to block the number??? I genuinely don’t understand why that’s a question.

She doesn’t know who the kid to message the parents on WhatsApp though and Im not sure if whole year/class chats are a thing behind primary school, have a few kids in my family in the secondary school system and they don’t have parent group chats, most of the parents don’t cross paths to even ask for each others contacts, majority of kids get themselves to and from school on the bus and the parents taht do drop off/collect, stay in their car, there’s no chatting in the playground at collection like you see in primary schools.

Just block

Take screenshots, including the number, in case ever needed in the future and block. Done.

Save the number and check on WhatsApp if they have a profile photo.

I’d have blocked after the first one tbh. Why would you not?

Block number yes, if your child is upset and feeling anxious or bullied then yes, speak to his tutor.

I don’t know if this still works but in the past, when I’ve saved the number in my WhatsApp contacts and if the unknown number also uses WhatsApp, their WhatsApp profile picture/name sometimes shows you who the person is. I did this when my daughter was getting similar messages but it was a while ago and WhatsApp contacts might not work like that now.

This^ as a first step. I'd report it to the schools safeguarding officer. I'd also consider police depending on how much its affecting your son. Calling him a 'gay boy' and harassing him if he is gay would possibly be seen as hate speech. If the content escalates any further (ie promoting harming himself or such) I'd definitely take it to police.

I'd screenshot everything and email go yourself so you've a record and then block the number. Sometimes blocked numbers will still go through but into a seperate folder so I'd check if his phone has that feature and then you can continue to monitor incase they escalate. It sounds like it's someone he knows from school or youth groups.

Thanks all. I’ll block the number. I hadn’t thought to check for a WhatsApp photo. I’ve done that now and it’s there but a generic photo of our local landmark so it could be anyone.

No parents WhatsApp, other than the old primary school one but there are so many new kids on secondary, it’s not the group for such an issue.

This.

@Greenspaceskeepmecalm @Shelleyblueeyes I’ve done this now - thank you.

Interesting, doesn’t sound like something a 12 year old would choose does it?

I would absolutely report this to the school. Possibly even the police as it is harassment

Clearly just block the number - would have done that after the first rude message. (I might have said “who is this?” first. )

Save the number to your phone and then check Snapchat, as if they have an account it may contain their real name.

Also what 12 year old is sending texts, do they even know what a text is

Could it be an adult with a wrong number?

Baffled by blocking the number not being the obvious thing after the first message

It's homophobic harassment/communication regardless of his sexuality.

Take screenshots of the messages as well as blocking. But I'd also try putting the number into Google just in case it throws anything up.

Yes this? And reported this number to the police as harassment
honestly!