Suspicious contacts
Spot strangers and risky numbers before conversations get too close.
Joey keeps an eye on unfamiliar numbers, sudden spikes in outreach, or contacts that keep coming back after being blocked. Instead of scrolling through every message, you get a clear heads-up when someone new starts orbiting your child. The goal is simple: help you notice early, ask calm questions, and keep your child in control of who can reach them.
Signals, not surveillance
What this alert monitors
- Unknown or unsaved numbers that drive most of the conversation
- Contacts that cycle through multiple numbers, usernames, or email handles
- Sudden bursts of messages from someone your child rarely talks to
- Numbers that reappear after being blocked or ignored
- Outreach patterns that look more like chasing than a normal friendship
Why this alert matters
Why suspicious contacts matter
New names and numbers are a normal part of growing up. Group chats, games, and school friends often blend together. The worry for many parents is not every new contact. It is the one older teen, stranger, or pushy new "friend" who quietly moves the conversation into a private space.
Suspicious Contacts Alerts are built for that grey area. They help you see when someone is putting in a lot of effort to reach your child, switching numbers, or pushing for one-on-one contact. Instead of guessing, you get a gentle signal that says: "This person deserves a second look."
Parent takeaways
- Clarity on who's putting pressure on your child and how often.
- Context that helps you start calm, non-accusatory conversations.
- A way to act before risky contacts escalate or move platforms.
In the Joey dashboard
What this alert looks like in Joey
When Joey notices risky patterns, you'll see a Smart Alert in your parent dashboard. A typical card might say: "New number is driving most of the conversation with [Child's name]. Patterns look unusual for their normal contacts. Check who this is and how they met."
Each alert includes:
- The contact label or phone number
- A short description of the pattern Joey spotted
- The timeframe, such as "in the last 7 days"
You can open the alert to see more context when you need it, or simply use it as a prompt to check in with your child.
Example: unknown number messaging late at night
This alert flags when a brand-new number suddenly sends a rush of late-night messages that don't match your child's usual patterns.
Example: persistent contact switching numbers
See when someone hops between multiple numbers or usernames to get around being ignored or blocked.
Example: reappearing contact after block
Joey connects the dots when a previously blocked person comes back with new contact info.
Real-world examples
What this might look like in real life
Each scenario is different, but the goal is the same: you know who is trying to reach your child before things go too far.
The "friendly" older teen
Your 12-year-old joins a group chat for a game. An older teen from the group starts messaging them directly late at night, then tries a new number when they stop replying. Joey flags the churn in phone numbers and persistent outreach so you can step in.
The unknown "friend of a friend"
A new number appears, saying they got your child's contact from "someone in class", but your child is not sure who. They keep nudging to move to another app and keep the chat secret. Suspicious Contacts highlights this as unusual outreach from an unknown contact.
The returning blocked number
Months after your child blocked someone, that person reappears with a new number and tries again. Joey notices the pattern and surfaces an alert so you can decide whether to re-block, report, or escalate.
See all smart alert categories
See all Smart Alert categories
Each Smart Alert focuses on a different type of risk so you can respond with confidence, not guesswork.
Smart alert
Bullying & harassment
Surfaces repeated put-downs, intimidation, or language meant to isolate your child.
Explore alertSmart alert
Concerning language & hate speech
Detects escalating language, slurs, or harmful rhetoric that signals conversations are off track.
Explore alertSmart alert
Emotional distress
Looks for signals of anxiety, withdrawal, or self-harm language so parents can check in early.
Explore alertSmart alert
Money & gifts
Highlights payment requests, gift-card pressure, and money drops mixed with urgency cues.
Explore alertSmart alert
Personal information (PII)
Warns when kids are asked to share addresses, passwords, location, or contact details.
Explore alertSmart alert
Drugs & alcohol
Catches references to substance use, supply offers, or planning that needs adult guidance.
Explore alert