At Tesco Mobile, we are committed to using our resources to make a positive impact. We endeavour to maximise the benefits that a mobile communications company can bring to the community and our environment. As part of the Tesco family, we fully support the corporate responsibility programmes that Tesco has rolled out, which ultimately benefit the local communities we operate in and charities close to our hearts. Click on the following links to find out more about the positive work that Tesco is doing across Ireland:
Helping the Environment
At Tesco Mobile, we believe that by working together we can make a big difference. We are committed to reducing our impact on the environment and helping our customers to do the same.
As part of this, all Tesco Mobile Bill Pay customers automatically receive their bills online. Our Prepay customers have the option of topping up online or via text, reducing the need for a print out of the top-up voucher. Tesco Mobile is also a member of WEEE Ireland, a non-profit organisation set up to finance the treatment & recycling of waste electronic & electrical equipment – our customers can recycle their old phones by using the designated recycling bins available in-stores.
In addition, Tesco has launched an ambitious plan for energy-efficiency projects and energy-management measures across all its stores in Ireland and is working hard on reducing its use of plastic – Click here for more information on Tesco’s position regarding Packaging
Mobile Phones and Your Health
If you are concerned about the health effects of mobile phones or masts we suggest that the World Health Organisation’s guidance on the subject may be helpful. They have concluded that no adverse short or long terms side-effects have been found that are associated with mobile phone usage. The WHO concludes that current research indicates that exposure to frequency fields such as those emitted by mobile phones and masts, is unlikely to cause any adverse health effects.
Based on their research there is no need for special precautions when using a mobile phone. However, if you are worried and you personally want to take protective measures, the WHO suggests you might wish to use a hands-free device to keep mobile phones away from the head and body and limit the length of calls.
Child Protection
At Tesco Mobile, child protection is of upmost importance. We want to ensure that children are always able to contact a parent or guardian, even if they have no credit. Our ‘Call Me’ service is free. They can simply text ‘callme’ and insert the number they want to get a call from and send to 1744 for free – see following example "callme 08XXXXXXXX" and send to 1744. The person whose number is within the message will receive a text message from the sender’s number stating the following "3538XXXXXX has requested that you call them."
We also provide free access to the Samaritans by using the following number 116 123. The number will make it possible for people to access the service round the clock, every single day of the year, free of charge.
In addition, we also want to protect children from accessing inappropriate and illegal content online and as result we block access to illegal content from our internet access services. We are continually looking at technology solutions to provide further functionalities / facilities – so watch this space!
We are a supporter and member of Hotline.ie, Ireland’s primary channel for members of the public to anonymously and confidentially report concerns in respect of suspected illegal content encountered online, namely child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Hotline.ie works with national and international partners to remove CSAM at source, to disrupt the cycle of online child sexual exploitation, to prevent repeat-victimisation of survivors of child sexual abuse, and to support law enforcement investigations.
VISIT HOTLINE.IE
Parental Controls and some useful resources
Mobile Phones can benefit children and parents. Whether it’s providing internet access for schoolwork or entertainment or just staying connected with friends and family, we understand that parents will naturally have an interest in who their children are talking to and how they are using their mobile phone. We want to help you take control by providing advice and useful resources to assist you in making informed decisions, along with some practical tips you can implement, like setting up parental controls and privacy settings.
Tesco Mobile, along with members of IBEC, have developed a Code of Practice for the Responsible and Secure Use of Mobile Phones and a ‘Parent’s Guide for the Responsible and Secure Use of Mobile Phones’ booklet.
The Code establishes the minimum standards which we, as mobile operators, will adhere to on issues such as parental controls for minors’ access to mobile services, malicious or offensive person-to-person communications and Premium Rate Services, among other things.
Meanwhile, the Parent’s Guide provides clear and comprehensive information to parents about how mobile phones work, and what modern handsets are capable of, beyond talk and text (e.g. the internet, photography, live-streaming content). It also provides useful information and advice for dealing with negative experiences that children and teenagers may encounter with their mobile phone - for example bullying - and where to report inappropriate communications.
On a practical level, parental controls help you manage and restrict what your kids can see and do online – from sites they can view, to the apps they can download, and purchases they can make. Parental control features and tools are now built into the majority of mobile phones, which makes it even easier to turn on parental controls and limit how much time your child spends online. These features also allow you to restrict access to certain applications or websites, which reduces the risk of children or teenagers coming across malicious, inappropriate or upsetting content. There is some information on setting up parental controls on Android devices (LG, Sony, Samsung, Huawei, HTC, Nokia, Motorola) here and information on iphone Parental Controls here.
In addition to the parental control settings on handsets, there are also a number of parental control apps available on the App store (Google Play or Apple) which facilitate the blocking or filtering of internet access so that access to internet content can be restricted.
We would recommend checking the features available on the device - along with what’s available in the App store - and putting the desired controls in place, before giving the mobile phone to a child.
Useful Resources:
- Webwise provides useful ‘Advice for Parents on the use of Social Networking Websites’ and CyberSafeKids is another important resource which provides helpful information on online safety for families, including webinars for children and parents.
- BE SAFE ONLINE is Ireland’s official Online Safety Hub – it is the government’s campaign to highlight ways to help users stay safe online. The hub provides access to a wide range of online safety resources, to support online safety for all.
- There are a lot of resources out there to help and provide guidance on cyberbullying including the HSE website, Webwise and CyberSafeKids.
- The HSE also provides important information on mental health and wellbeing.
Accessibility
At Tesco Mobile, we want to ensure that all of our customers get the best from our network. We offer a wide range of mobile phones and services to meet all of our customers’ needs – click here to view our Accessibility Statement
Mobile Phone Safety
Switch off your phone in a hospital or doctor's surgery - it can interfere with equipment.
Put your phone onto flight mode during a flight – to prevent interference with the plane's navigation systems.
It is illegal to drive whilst using a hand-held mobile phone penalty points can be enforced in the event that you are caught committing this offence. Let your voicemail take messages or use a hands-free car kit or Bluetooth headset. If you don’t have a hands-free kit and need to make a phone call, pull over first. Never text or use internet services, while driving, keep your eyes on the road at all times and both hands on the wheel. Try to avoid stressful calls while driving. Any call is distracting even while using a hands-free device. For more detailed information on road safety, please see https://www.rsa.ie/
Your phone has a unique IMEI number. You will find this behind the battery or by pressing *#06# and make a note of it. You can give it to the Gardai if your phone is stolen. We can also place a bar called a ‘blacklist’ on it so it cannot be used on any network in Ireland. We would also advise that you regularly copy your contacts from your phone to your PC to ensure your contact information is backed up. Please check your handset user manual for details on how to do this. If you have a cardiac pacemaker or any electronic aid, consult your doctor or https://www.irishheart.ie/
Turn off your mobile phone where there is a risk of coming into contact with explosive materials or gases - for example, petrol stations. Never use a metal object to short out the battery terminals: it could damage the battery and cause a fire.
Protecting your Personal Data
Personal data is information about us as individuals. It includes information such as your name, phone number, health records, the password for your email account or even just a photograph of you. If criminals gain unauthorised access to our personal data, we are exposed to the risk of being targeted and exploited by them. They may also try to deceive us into revealing further information for them to exploit. This guidance shows you how to recognise and reduce personal data risks, and what to do when you become aware that your personal data is being used by unauthorised third parties: https://dataprotection.ie/en/dpc-guidance/blogs/when-your-personal-data-has-been-affected-breach