In a digital world, children and young people have constant access to the internet, online gaming systems, and mobile phones, along with thousands of applications and games. Cybercriminals are taking advantage of the popularity of online sites, apps, and games to create convincing scams that are hard for adults, let alone kids, to recognize and avoid. There are several best practices you can adopt as a parent or guardian to limit your child’s exposure to fraud and scams:
However, their digital literacy does not protect them from internet fraud, and scammers are increasingly targeting the youngest generations for several reasons.
Unlike adults, children are unlikely to have had experiences with scams and tend to be more trusting of others – especially those posing as authority figures, friends, or family. Children are also more likely to overlook or ignore signs of a scam when promised something they want. They might not fully realize the dangers of revealing personal data either.
But it’s the rise in social media use that has put young people squarely in a scammer’s line of fire.
We can’t always be around to protect our children, especially in cyberspace. But by teaching them how to identify and avoid online scams, you can empower them to navigate their online world safely.
1. Stay calm
Establishing a calm environment where your child feels listened to will allow them to open up about what’s happening in their online life.
If your child tells you about a scam they may have seen or even fallen for, try not to get angry, as this may put them off from coming to you again. Before getting the facts, assure them that they’ve done nothing wrong and that they made the right decision in coming to you.
2. Stress the importance of privacy
Scammers often take advantage of a child’s naivety when it comes to sharing personal information. A child might think nothing of revealing their full name, date of birth, or address to someone they’ve met on social media or while gaming.
While this kind of getting-to-know-you details might not seem as risky as divulging passwords, fraudsters can use a child’s personal information to open online accounts, apply for credit cards and loans, and much more.
3. Get familiar with common scams
Before you talk about the signs of a scam, it’s a good idea to go over the typical methods and schemes used by swindlers.
Scams can come in countless forms, but here are a few common ones:
Technological advancements like AI mean that scams will only get more creative and convincing – so it’s a good idea to stay updated on scam trends.
4. Prepare a checklist of red flags
Although more sophisticated scams can be hard to spot, things like spelling errors and bad grammar can instantly give away a fraudulent email or message.
Help your child recognize scams by creating a checklist together of other typical signs that they can refer to. Be sure to include:
5. Read the platform’s policies on scams
The popular social media platforms will have advice for avoiding and reporting a scam, and it’s worth both of you familiarizing yourselves with the guidelines.
For example, Facebook and Instagram’s help centers give plenty of tips and tools to help protect you from scammers and advice on what to do if you’ve been targeted.
Teaching your child to identify and avoid scams is an excellent way to build their confidence and protect their digital well-being. These tips can help safeguard your child from scams and other online threats while promoting a healthy relationship with technology.
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