There are many reasons why someone might want the privacy and untraceability of a second, secret phone – often called a burner phone. While there are legitimate and practical uses, the term usually brings to mind unfaithful partners, drug dealers, and other shady characters.

But what about your own child?

Faced with their parents’ monitoring and screen time restrictions, a teenager might resort to buying secret, second phones to covertly continue their online social lives. The obvious risks of a child secretly using an unrestricted, untraceable device make burner phones yet another digital concern for parents to be vigilant about.

What is a burner phone?

A burner phone, sometimes called a “burner,” is typically a prepaid phone that can be purchased cheaply at mass retailers like Walmart or Target. They are typically purchased with cash, come with prepaid minutes (pay-as-you-go), and don’t require a contract with a service provider or need any form of legal identification verification at the point of sale. The term “burner phone” comes from the fact that these phones are often discarded, or “burnt” after they’ve served their purpose.

Thanks to references in pop culture, burner phones have earned a reputation for their role in criminal activities, such as in the TV series Breaking Bad, as well as being a symbol of secrecy in extramarital affairs, as seen in Desperate Housewives. Burner phones are often used for shady activities, but they have legitimate purposes too. For example, journalists and undercover law enforcement agents might use burner phones to protect their identity and avoid being tracked, while travelers to high-crime areas might use one during their trip to avoid losing their main phone.   

Burner phones don’t have to be cheap, basic phones either; you can easily get prepaid Android phones, iPhones, and other smartphones.

What are trap phones?

A term mostly used in U.S. rap and street culture, a trap phone is a type of burner phone, more commonly associated with drug dealing. The term “trap” comes from “trap house,” a residence used for selling drugs.

Other names for a burner phone include a prepaid phone, disposable phone, throwaway phone, ghost phone, and side phone.

Are burner phones legal?

Burner phones are legal in most countries; they are just prepaid, disposable phones that can be purchased without a contract or identification verification. As long as they’re not used for criminal activities, there’s no legal issue with owning or using a burner phone.

Some countries, however, have strict regulations that make it hard to buy or use a burner phone. For example, in India, Russia, and China, SIM cards must be registered with governmental authorities.

Why might my child be using a burner phone?

If your child is hiding a second phone from you, chances are they’re not using it for legitimate reasons. Here are a few motives they might have for owning and using a burner phone – some more concerning than others. 

As a backup if their main phone is taken away

It’s common for parents to threaten to confiscate their children’s phones as punishment or to enforce screen time limits. In response, kids might prepare themselves by keeping a burner phone.

To get around parental controls

If you’ve installed parental control tools like Qustodio on your child’s device, they might use a burner phone to continue their online activities without the monitoring and safeguards you’ve put in place – such as screen time limits or app blocking.

To keep their social lives secret

While at times it can be frustrating for parents, it’s normal for teenagers to seek privacy and be tight-lipped about their social lives. Some might even use a secret phone to keep in touch with friends and love interests – away from the watchful eyes of parents or monitoring tools.   

To cyberbully or engage in risky online behavior 

Although we don’t like to imagine our kids causing harm to others, it can happen, and a burner phone allows them to bully or spread hate with less risk of being caught. If you think your child might be harassing others online, take a look at this insightful article by child psychologist Dr. Beurkens: My child is a cyberbully: What should I do?

A burner phone could also be used to hide inappropriate, and potentially dangerous,  relationships from parents and, in extreme cases, to engage in illegal activities like buying drugs. 

How to find out if someone has a burner phone

Since a burner phone is meant to be kept secret, it’s unlikely that your child will tell you they’re using one, especially if it’s to bypass parental controls or for more concerning reasons. Aside from catching them using an unfamiliar phone red-handed, there are other ways you can confirm your suspicions. 

Although their burner phone won’t have parental controls, you can use the Qustodio Parents app to monitor changes in usage on their primary phone. Drastic shifts in screen time habits could indicate they’re using a second device. For example, if they typically spend a couple of hours on Snapchat each day and that suddenly drops to zero, that could be an indication they’re using the app on another phone. Of course, there are other reasons why they might be using an app less – such as simply losing interest – so it’s important to talk to them before jumping to conclusions. 

You can also check your home’s Wi-Fi network for unknown devices. Most modern routers allow you to view a list of connected devices by logging into the router’s web interface. However, this method is only useful if they’re using Wi-Fi at home – it won’t detect a device using prepaid data 

I found out my teen has a burner phone. What should I do?

Discovering that your child has been hiding a secret phone might be disappointing, but it’s important to approach the situation calmly and without accusations. 

1. Start an open conversation

Let them know you’re not upset, but you’re concerned and want to understand why they feel the need to hide a second phone from you.

2. Emphasize trust and safety rather than punishment

It may be tempting to reprimand your child for using a secret phone, but doing so could shut down communication between you. Instead, let your child know that your main concern is their wellbeing, and encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings openly, reassuring them that they won’t be punished for being honest.

Remind them that you monitor their device, not to be a spy, but to help them stay safe online. An unmonitored phone could expose them to harmful content and dangerous people, such as online predators and cyberbullies.

3. Reconsider screen time boundaries

Finding out your teen has a secret phone might prompt you to reassess device rules. If they’ve resorted to using a burner phone for more privacy or because they feel their screen time is too limited, it could open up a conversation about the rules and restrictions currently in place. You might consider revising screen time limits or adjusting message alerts to help keep your child safe while respecting their needs and privacy.

Some teenagers turn to burner phones to bypass parental controls, maintain private relationships, or engage in risky online behavior with less chance of being caught. If you suspect your child has a second phone, it’s best to approach the situation with empathy and understanding rather than punishment. By encouraging open conversations and helping them recognize the risks of using an unmonitored device, you can better support their digital wellbeing in the long run. 

Amid the chaos of a looming TikTok ban in the US, a new, surprising social media story began to weave itself. In the space of just a few days, one of China’s most popular social platforms, Xiaohongshu, or “Little red book”, shot to the top of the US download charts, as millions of US-based users flocked to the app, keen not to miss out on their daily social media fix. 

Xiaohongshu (小红书), more commonly referred to in English in its shortened form of “rednote”, became world-famous overnight. Will its popularity last, especially in the face of an impending TikTok ban stateside? Whether it’s simply enjoying its five minutes of fame, or the app is here to stay, parents need to know – is RedNote safe for teens to use, and what kind of content could your child come across on there? 

What is rednote? 

rednote is a Chinese social media platform which feels somewhat like a hybrid between TikTok, Instagram and Pinterest. All three of these apps are banned in China, but other domestic apps offering similar experiences, including rednote, Douyin, and Weibo are hugely popular. rednote started out as a shopping guide, where keen consumers could share reviews with the community. 

As the app’s popularity grew, it morphed into more of a social network, drawing in  Chinese-speakers largely sharing lifestyle videos, cosmetic and fashion content, travel tips, and food and drink recommendations. According to research firm Qian Gua, rednote had 300 million monthly active users in 2024. When the app started trending in the news and on social media, ahead of TikTok’s uncertain future, rednote gained over 3 million users in one day in the US, quickly landing it the top spot in the country’s app store.  

How old do you have to be to use rednote? 

On the App Store, rednote is recommended as 12+, and the Google Play Store lists it as “Parental Guidance Recommended”. rednote’s terms and conditions mention that users should be 18 and over to use the application, but as there is no age verification system, it’s easy for underage users to create an account.

Why is rednote popular? 

rednote is most commonly used to share recommendations, offering fashion, travel, beauty, and food tips. When signing up, you select topics, such as food, arts and crafts, or cosmetics, which offers a more personalized algorithm related to interests, rather than who users follow.

Despite the recent surge of US users, the majority of the content is still Mandarin-dominated, but as more users join the app from outside China, more videos in English and other languages are being uploaded, and comments are also starting to reflect this shift.

Many US users are flocking to rednote as a form of digital protest, moving to the platform in response to the possibility of a TikTok ban. Whether these users will stick remains to be seen, but it’s important to bear in mind if your child is either one of the millions who have joined up, or if they’re interested in exploring the app. Trends come and go, but before letting your child join any new social network, it’s important to be familiar with how it works – so let’s explore some of the possible issues both parents and children might come across on rednote.

Is rednote safe for teens to use? 

Parents should investigate and carefully consider any new application that children are using, and rednote is no different. To help parents understand the potential risks of the platform, we’ve outlined some of rednote’s key issues.

Inappropriate content 

As with any social media, teens can come across content that isn’t appropriate for their age as they explore the feed, or content that doesn’t align with your family values. 

It’s worth noting that rednote’s content moderation policies are stricter than other social media apps such as TikTok. Content that US users are more used to, such as violence, political content, or what could be perceived as sexually suggestive material (for example, someone in the gym with their shirt off) is much more likely to be removed. This relates to more restrictive content policies which are standard in China, and which clash directly with the US’ outlook on freedom of expression – something that parents may want to bear in mind when discussing the app with teens. 

Direct messaging and comments

While many new users noted how welcoming the rednote community was during the sudden influx of English speakers, that doesn’t mean everyone’s experience on the application will be  positive. Comments and opinions can quickly turn mean or hurtful on social media, and another thing for parents to consider is the app’s direct messaging features, allowing vulnerable younger users to be contacted by strangers.  

Data collection 

One of the main concerns in the media surrounding rednote is how it collects data – and how much it collects. This is nothing new in the social media space. These platforms in general are driven by data, and collect vast amounts of it in order to understand how users consume content, and push a more personalized algorithm. This data can also be sold to third parties, such as advertisers, depending on where you live in the world. 

Before you or your child creates any social media account, it’s important to understand how your data will be used, if there are any inbuilt security settings, and how you can keep your personal information private as you use these platforms.

Here’s how you and your teen can protect personal information on social media:  

1. Never share daily routines. People shouldn’t know where you go to school, where you live, or other personal details that can identify you online -and can allow users to locate you in the real world. 
2. Use inbuilt privacy settings, such as a private profile, and only accept friend requests from people that you know in real life.
3. Be careful what you share, even during exciting moments, such as passing a driving test, traveling for the first time, or getting your first paycheck. Make sure never to share any identifiable information, such as passport information, driving license, national ID, or social security numbers. 

Is rednote safe for teens? Qustodio’s final recommendation

Time will tell if rednote’s newfound popularity stays the course, but our message to parents will always be the same: Make sure that you are familiar with any new app that your child is interested in using, and work together with them to create an experience that focuses on the positives (if the app has any), while also ensuring that the risks and negatives are something you both understand. 

If you see your child is interested in using, or is already using rednote, here are some ways you can talk to them about it: 

• Start the conversation, without judgment. Coming into the talk with a curious approach will help your child open up to you, while also letting them see your perspective if you are against them using the app. Talk to your child about why they want to download, or have downloaded rednote, and what they like about it. 
• Either by downloading the app yourself, or sitting with your child to see how the platform works, you need to understand the features it has, how it works, and the potential risks they’re up against. Explore the apps and platforms they use together to gain insight and stay up-to-date on their interests there.
• Approach them with an emphasis on safety. Explain how they can keep their data and information safe as they explore new apps.
• Encourage critical thinking. There is a vast amount of information and content available on social media, and not all of it should be taken at face value. Teach your child to think for themselves, how to research and verify information, and let them know you are always there to help if they need it.

Social media allows us to learn, connect with other cultures and ideas, and be entertained, but at the same time, there are harmful and dangerous elements to it, especially for younger users. 

Ultimately, we’d recommend that parents use age recommendations as a basic guideline, but make decisions based on what you know about the individual app, combined with your child’s maturity, personality, and how they interact with the digital world. Working together with your child, you can help them to understand your point of view and what’s inappropriate for their age, while they have a safer, healthier online experience. 

Have you heard your teen mentioning ‘Bitcoin’ and ‘Dogecoin’ or noticed they’ve developed a sudden interest in cryptocurrency forums? The number of teens entering the world of cryptocurrency (or crypto) trading is on the rise; however, some digital wellbeing experts are starting to raise concerns about this growing trend. Here’s what you need to know about crypto and its risks to teen traders. 

What is cryptocurrency? 

While crypto has made some inroads into everyday transactions, with some retail and gaming platforms accepting it as payment, it’s not yet a common method for routine purchases. Instead, cryptocurrency is often used for transactions between individuals who prefer to keep their dealings untraceable. This has led to its popularity on the dark web and made it the currency of choice for scammers and those engaged in less-than-legal activities.

Most people regard the buying and selling of cryptocurrency as similar to stock trading. While financial gain is the main objective for teen traders, they also can be heavily influenced by social media, online communities, and gaming platforms. 

Can kids buy cryptocurrency?

• Peer-to-peer. Transactions with an individual, through a P2P platform or more informally, can be prone to fraud and scams. 

• Unregulated or non-KYC platforms. These platforms allow users to trade without verifying their identity, but as you’ve probably guessed, they are less secure and more prone to scams than regulated exchanges.

• Crypto ATMs. With over 40,000 dotted around the world, crypto ATMs look like regular ATMs but allow users to buy crypto (usually Bitcoin) with cash and don’t typically require age verification. 

• With the help of a parent or guardian. Probably the safest option, an adult could open and manage transactions on a regulated crypto exchange on the teen’s behalf.

What are the risks for teen crypto traders? 

Strong likelihood of losing money

Cryptocurrencies are highly volatile, meaning traders have the potential to make or lose a lot of money when prices swing up or down. For example, when the pandemic caused the markets to crash in March 2020, Bitcoin lost half its value in two days. A teen or someone new to investing may not fully understand the financial risk if a coin loses value or the market crashes.

Potential for addiction akin to gambling

Similar to when a gambler wins money, making quick, easy gains from crypto releases dopamine and creates a feeling of excitement that a trader will want to feel again and again. To a developing teenage brain, this feeling may be too strong to manage and lead to them chasing this instant gratification. 

Unlike stock markets, crypto trading is available 24/7 giving potentially dangerous, non-stop access to those prone to obsessive trading. 

Hype and FOMO

A major part of crypto trading is interacting with like-minded people on social media and in online communities such as r/CryptoCurrency on Reddit. Seeing others brag about their huge gains can make it seem like everyone is winning big and create a strong feeling of missing out (FOMO). Teen traders are more likely to succumb to hype and FOMO and make investing decisions based on impulse and emotion rather than research and rationale. 

Scams and fraud

The anonymity of cryptocurrency coupled with its newness and lack of regulation, makes the crypto market a paradise for scammers; and as cryptocurrencies operate in a decentralized system, banks or governments cannot step in and help recover lost money.

Here are a few common crypto scams:

• Fake crypto and ICOs (initial coin offerings). Scammers create a fake cryptocurrency or ICO only to disappear with investors’ money.

• “Pump and dump”. Scammers hype up an obscure coin on social media or forums, driving up the price (“pump”). They then sell once enough people have bought in, causing a crash (“dump”).  

• Fake exchanges. A scammer creates an exchange platform offering low fees and introductory bonuses to attract new users, only to lock them out once they’ve deposited funds.    

• Ponzi or pyramid schemes. Scammers use funds from new investors to pay earlier investors only for the project to crash when the “profits” dry up.   
• Fake celebrity endorsements.  Scammers pose as influential people on social media and DM users offering too-good-to-be-true investment opportunities. Over 6 months in 2021, crypto scammers pretending to be Elon Musk made more than $2m. 

Crypto scammers use their shady skills to steal login credentials and private keys too. Common methods include phishing, via emails or fake platforms that look like legitimate crypto exchanges; and by posing as loved ones asking for passwords and keys. 

Although traders of all ages can be victims of crypto scams, teens can be more trusting and tend to overlook signs of a scam when caught up in the hype of cashing in on crypto. 

Crypto for kids: Our recommendation for parents 

As a parent, staying informed about the digital world your teen is participating in is essential. If your teen is interested in cryptocurrency trading, ensure you engage in open conversations about it with them, including its risks, and encourage critical thinking and responsible financial behavior. By fostering a supportive and communicative environment, you can help your teen make informed decisions in this ever-evolving digital landscape. Because of the high risk of being caught up in crypto scams, you should also ensure your child knows how to spot, and avoid falling for an online scam.

When it comes to the practicalities of trading, some parents open accounts and manage transactions on their teen’s behalf, on established and regulated exchange platforms such as Binance, Coinbase, and Kraken. This approach allows their crypto-curious teen to dip their toe into the world of trading and learn valuable lessons while minimizing the risks. However, this scenario should be considered carefully as the risks of loss will simply be passed on to the parents.

As parents in the digital world, our focus should not be on discouraging curiosity but on guiding it in the right direction. 

However, if your teen’s crypto trading has become problematic, consider using a parental control solution like Qustodio to limit the time your child spends on crypto trading platforms – or completely block access to them if needed. You can also limit or block access to social media platforms and forums where teens can easily get caught up in crypto hype.