Online Scams Targeting Kids and Teens: What Parents Need to Know

In today’s digital age, children and teens are more connected than ever before. They use social media, gaming platforms, and the internet for education, entertainment, and communication. However, this increased connectivity also exposes them to various online threats, including scams. In this article, we will discuss the most common online scams targeting kids and teens and provide tips for parents to help keep their children safe.

1. Sextortion Scams

Sextortion scams have become increasingly common, with a 20% increase between October 2022 and March 2023. These scams often target teen boys, who are lured into sending explicit photos or videos to someone they believe is an attractive young girl. Once the victim has sent the content, the scammer demands a payout and threatens to post the incriminating material online if the demand is not met.

Parents can help prevent sextortion scams by having regular conversations about online safety with their children. They should encourage their kids to report any suspicious messages or requests and remind them that they should never share explicit content with strangers.

2. In-Game Currency Scams

Roblox and Fortnite are popular gaming platforms among kids and cybercriminals alike. Scammers often create fake websites or apps that promise to pay out in-game currency in exchange for clicking on bogus ads or providing personal information. These sites and apps contain malware that can be used to hack into the victim’s account.

To protect their children from in-game currency scams, parents should educate their kids about the dangers of clicking on suspicious links and downloading unknown software. They should also encourage their children to use reloadable gift cards instead of credit cards when making in-game purchases.

3. Influencer Scams

Teens often look up to social media influencers as potential career paths. Scammers take advantage of this by posing as real brands and reaching out to teens with promises of cash or gifts. They may ask the victim to buy a few things upfront to get started, but in reality, they are just trying to steal the victim’s money.

Parents can help prevent influencer scams by educating their kids about the importance of verifying the authenticity of brands and influencers before engaging with them online. They should also remind their kids that they should never share their personal information or make purchases without their parent’s permission.

4. Social Media Scams

Social media platforms are a breeding ground for various types of scams, including phishing scams, catfishing scams, and romance scams. Scammers often create fake profiles and use attractive photos to lure teens into engaging in conversations. They may then ask for personal information or try to sell products or services.

Parents can help prevent social media scams by having regular conversations about online safety with their children. They should remind their kids to only accept friend requests from people they know in real life and to never share their personal information with strangers. They should also encourage their kids to report any suspicious messages or requests.

5. Phishing Scams

Phishing scams are a common type of online scam that involves tricking victims into providing sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, or credit card numbers. Scammers often use emails, text messages, or social media messages to lure victims into clicking on a malicious link or downloading malware.

Parents can help prevent phishing scams by educating their kids about the dangers of clicking on suspicious links or downloading unknown software. They should remind their kids to never provide sensitive information online and to always verify the authenticity of emails, text messages, or social media messages before engaging with them.

6. Malware Scams

Malware scams involve installing malicious software on a victim’s device to steal personal information, damage files, or take control of the device. Scammers often use fake websites, emails, or social media messages to lure victims into downloading the malware.

Parents can help prevent malware scams by using a password manager on family smartphones and computers and enabling two-factor authentication on the apps their kids use regularly. They should also remind their kids to never download software from unknown sources and to only use reputable websites for downloading software.

7. Privacy Scams

Privacy scams involve tricking victims into sharing their personal information or granting access to their online accounts. Scammers may pose as tech support representatives or offer to help victims improve their online privacy.

Parents can help prevent privacy scams by educating their kids about the importance of protecting their personal information online. They should remind their kids to never share their passwords or grant access to their online accounts to anyone, including tech support representatives. They should also encourage their kids to use strong, unique passwords for all their online accounts.

Conclusion

Online scams targeting kids and teens are a growing concern for parents. By educating their kids about the various types of online scams and providing them with the tools and resources to stay safe online, parents can help protect their children from these threats. Regular conversations about online safety, using a password manager, enabling two-factor authentication, and reminding kids to never share personal information with strangers are just a few ways parents can help keep their kids safe online.

FAQs

1. What are the most common online scams targeting kids and teens?
Answer: Sextortion scams, in-game currency scams, influencer scams, social media scams, phishing scams, malware scams, and privacy scams are some of the most common online scams targeting kids and teens.
2. How can parents help prevent online scams targeting their kids?
Answer: Parents can help prevent online scams by having regular conversations about online safety with their kids, using a password manager, enabling two-factor authentication, and reminding their kids to never share personal information with strangers.
3. What should parents do if their child has fallen victim to an online scam?
Answer: Parents should encourage their child to report the scam to the appropriate authorities, such as the police or the Federal Trade Commission. They should also help their child change their passwords and take steps to secure their online accounts.
4. How can parents help their kids stay safe on social media?
Answer: Parents can help their kids stay safe on social media by having regular conversations about online safety, reminding them to only accept friend requests from people they know in real life, and encouraging them to report any suspicious messages or requests.
5. What should parents do if they suspect their child is being targeted by a sextortion scam?
Answer: Parents should encourage their child to report the scam to the appropriate authorities, such as the police or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. They should also help their child change their passwords and take steps to secure their online accounts. They should also remind their child that they are there to support them and that they can come to them with any concerns or questions.