Tres Cantos Shops Offer Phones to Minors in Case of Emergency

A network of 60 local establishments joins the municipal initiative so children can call their families if needed.

Image of a sticker on a shop window in Tres Cantos.
IA

Image of a sticker on a shop window in Tres Cantos.

The Tres Cantos City Council has implemented a network of 60 local businesses where minors can request a phone to make calls in unforeseen situations, a measure aimed at delaying the age of smartphone access.

The initiative, named «Tres Cantos and its shops care for you», transforms participating establishments into accessible support points for children and young people. This measure addresses common situations such as forgetting a mobile phone, running out of battery, or needing to inform parents of an unexpected delay.
The process is simple: any minor needing to communicate can enter one of the participating shops and ask to make a call. There are no complex protocols or forms, and shopkeepers do not assume additional responsibilities beyond facilitating phone use for a few minutes.
Currently, the network includes 60 businesses from various sectors, such as hospitality, services, bookstores, pharmacies, and opticians, distributed throughout the city. For easy identification, each establishment displays a visible sticker in its window, allowing minors to recognize them from the street.
One of the main goals of this campaign is to offer families a practical alternative to delay the age at which their children get a smartphone. Knowing that minors have a nearby support point in case of emergency reduces one of the main concerns that often drive the decision to acquire a smartphone at an early age.

"Tres Cantos businesses have shown, once again, that they are much more than just points of sale. They are safe, local spaces committed to their neighbors, including the youngest ones. Their involvement makes it possible for families to have additional support in their daily lives."

the Councillor for Commerce
The network of businesses will remain open for new additions, with the aim of expanding and consolidating as a stable resource in the municipality, ensuring that minors can always find a place to ask for help if needed.