A burner phone is designed just for temporary use, giving you a prepaid SIM, which isn’t registered on your ID card. Thus, giving you more privacy.
However, being a parent, you have to know about this, as the anonymity offered by such phones gives room to online predators to trick teens. Also, teens may use it as a secret phone without knowing you. So, keep reading this blog!
What is a burner phone?
“A burner phone basically looks like a ’90s classic Nokia phone, allowing you to text or call without requiring any personal details.”
Burner phones actually come with prepaid SIM cards that are not connected with any of your personal details ( like names, ID card, etc.). Thus, most people make use of it when they don’t want to reveal their identity to others. For instance, when buying online, they have to give their phone number to sign up, and many more.
Core characteristics
Let’s have a look at the characteristics of burner phones for a better understanding of them.
- Anonymity/privacy: Burner phone doesn’t allow anyone to trace which person is using this phone number, which helps you stay anonymous.
- Disposability: Next, burner phones are actually designed with the intention of being thrown away when not needed. Hence, they are named burner phones. That’s why they’re very cheap; you can easily buy one for $30-$50.
- Temporary use: Also, you don’t use a burner phone for long-term use like your current smartphone. Actually, people make use of it as an emergency backup, and for other similar short-term uses.
If I’m not wrong, then you might have heard about such burner phones in Dramas and films, where criminals use them for illegal activities. However, that’s just a fiction; in practical life, they are very useful, as mentioned above.
Why do people use burner phones and numbers?
Now, let’s dive deeper and understand the usage scenarios of burner phones, so you’d better come out of the myth that just criminals make use of them.
Lead by example and show them the way!
- Online buying and selling: On, online platforms there are also many risks, like if you use your real phone number for regeneration, then strangers may save your number and later misuse it. However, with a burner phone number, you stay anonymous, because it’s not linked to your name or ID card number.
- Travelling abroad: Moreover, if you are planning for a trip abroad, then using your own mobile will become a costly option. This is because you have to pay extra roaming charges. So, the best thing is that you just buy the local prepaid SIM card ( very cheap), insert it into your burner phone, and enjoy.
- Emergency backup: Furthermore, there is a possibility that someone may steal your really costly smartphone, and you are far away from your house. Then what will you do in this situation if you don’t have any other phone? Thus, burner phones being cheaper are best for such emergencies to inform your friends or family.
However, from parents’ perspective, the anonymity offered by burner phones may pose different risks for kids. For instance, someone with bad intentions may interact with your kids using burner phones. Thus, they might harass your kids, or pose other cyber risks, and the worst thing is that it wouldn’t be possible to trace them.
Burner phone devices vs. Apps
However, you know there are not only burner mobile phones available in the market, but developers have also made third-party burner software. Both of these do the same task, like hide your identity, but each does this job differently. So, let’s dive in and understand the difference!
Traditional physical burner phones
They are actually mini prepaid gadgets (with a screen and physical buttons ) that you easily carry in your hands, allowing you to text or call anonymously.
- Disposable and very affordable.
- Both kids and older people can easily use it.
- Works wherever there is mobile network coverage.
- Usually does not come with internet access, apps, or other functions.
- As such, a smartphone has prepaid credits, so you have to use it carefully, otherwise you may run out earlier.
Burner phone apps
Burner phone apps are actually third-party software that you just install on your own personal smartphone. Thus, Thus, once installed, it asks you to sign up. After completing the registration, they give you a temporary phone number that you can use to make anonymous calls or texts.
- No requirement for additional devices.
- Simple to generate several different phone numbers.
- Provides internet-based messaging and calling services.
- Dependent on internet connectivity.
- Reduced confidentiality if data is stored by the app.
- Some programs require payment or have restricted complimentary usage.
Where can you acquire a burner phone or number?
Now, if you are a parent and wondering where you can get a burner phone or a number in your own city. Well! Worry not, these aren’t any antique pieces that you find a problem in finding. You can easily find them. For instance,
Buying a physical burner phone
If you want to buy a physical burner phone, then just visit your local stores like electronics shops, mobile phone stores, or big retail chains. T’m sure that you can find a burner phone here, whichever you like, foldable or simpler ones. Otherwise, the alternative option is that you can buy it from online stores like Amazon or eBay.
What you get:
White buying a burner phone, you may get a phone and a prepaid SIM card that would be inserted in it. If they don’t give you a prepaid SIM card alongside, then you can separately buy from them.
Keep in mind that if you are ordering the burner phone, then it’s best to check the people’s reviews on the website before placing an order. So, you may have a better idea about the quality of the product.
Getting a Burner Phone Number Through Apps
On the other hand, you can also download the burner apps from the Google Play Store or App Store, depending on your mobile phone. As mentioned previously, such apps give you a temporary phone number to make calls or texts without revealing your identity to others.
Before installing burner apps, you need to check the app’s permissions, rating,s and its reviews that what other people say about this app’s usage.
How can parents guide children on responsible phone use?
Nowadays, most parents bring mobile phones to their kids for many reasons. However, if not used properly, then they would raise many concerns for parents. Let’s dive deeper and understand how you can monitor your kids’ digital activities!
- Open communication: You have to openly discuss with your kids about the online risks of inappropriate mobile usage. Also, tell them that burner phones just give them temporary privacy; for instance, they may stop working after a while.
- Model Responsible Use: Keep in mind that teens are copycats of their elders. You have to practically show them how they can make use of social media and explore the Internet safely.
- Use parental control tools: Besides all, FlashGet Kids is the most parents’ favourite app because of real-time monitoring. For instance,
- Screen mirroring: You can live monitor your kids’ digital activities on their mobile phones.
- App blocker: FlashGetKids also allows you to block inappropriate apps. For instance, you can block burner apps to prevent your kids from making prank calls.
- Screen time: FlashGet Kids also allows you to set time limits on phone usage. Thus, you can restrict your kids from using a mobile phone during study time or sleeping hours.
- Location tracking: FlashGet Kids also allows you to track the location of your kids. Also, owing to its geofencing feature, you can set specific zones.
Conclusion
In short, we can say that burner phones are very cheap, classic phones designed just for temporary use as a way to protect your privacy. So, don’t think that you can use them in everyday activities, they are just ideal for special situations.
However, being a parent, you have to know about such gadgets. There are chances that someone might trick your kids using such burner phones or apps. So, try using a FlashGet Kids parental control app to actively monitor your kids’ digital lives.
FAQs
Absolutely yes, most countries allow you to use a burner phone for travelling or privacy. However, keep in mind that if you make it for any illegal activity, then you have to suffer from strict legal consequences.
A supreme burner phone is basically a type of burner phone that also allows you to make calls or texts, but it gives more privacy.
A burner phone is actually for temporary use in special situations. You would have to link any of your personal details, even your name, here. So if you dont need it you can easily throw it.
However, a regular phone accesses your personal details and you basically buy it with the intention of long-term use.
