Remember the old saying, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is”? Well, it’s more relevant than ever in today’s digital age. Online scammers are getting more creative with the tricks they use to lure unsuspecting victims. Sadly, kids and teens, who are never too far from their devices, have become major targets. So what’s a parent to do? Teaching digital literacy—like thinking twice before sharing personal information and being skeptical of unsolicited messages—is the best way to protect your kiddos, and it starts at home. If you’re not sure what to look out for, we talked to several experts about the most common red flags and online cons kids and parents should know about.
Unsolicited Friend Requests
Whether via social media or through an online gaming site, strangers with bad intentions may prey on kids by pretending to be something or someone they are not. This can take the form of an unsolicited friend request that’s designed to create a false connection that can lead to more nefarious behavior. For kids and teens, it’s important to verify friend requests, even if the request comes from a “friend of a friend.”
Phishing E-mails and Texts
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s 2023 Internet Crime Report stresses that young people are especially vulnerable to the current rise in cybercrime, especially since they’re often less aware of cybersecurity risks. As adults, we’ve become immune to the seemingly daily barrage of spam e-mails or text messages, which often go unopened, deleted, or simply ignored. But for kids and teens who may be new to having a personal e-mail address, every e-mail and text message still feels unique and special. Scammers will exploit this curiosity by sending e-mails or texts that appear to be from legitimate sources, such as popular social media or gaming platforms, schools, or even friends and family. These e-mails and text messages can contain links or attachments that, when clicked, can download malware or steal personal information.
“Legitimate communications will not ask for sensitive personal information or payment details upfront, and they typically come from verified sources,” says Yaron Litwin, digital safety expert and Chief Marketing Officer at Canopy, an AI-powered smart filter that protects children from inappropriate content. Red flags include poor grammar, urgent language, unfamiliar sender addresses, and links that don’t match the legitimate website.
Fake Contests and Giveaways
Who doesn’t appreciate a good deal or an occasional freebie? Truth is, nothing in life is free, but scammers will create fake contests or giveaways using the lure of a big prize—cash, electronics, or access to gaming platforms. These scams frequently require participants to provide personal information or complete a series of tasks for the chance to “win” a prize or receive a giveaway. Except the promised prize is never delivered and personal information is then sold or exploited for nefarious purposes. “If you didn’t enter a contest, you probably didn’t win one,” explains Ron Kerbs, founder of Kidas, an AI-powered technology platform that helps keep kids safe online.
Gaming and Quizzes
Similar to phishing, scammers sometimes use online games or quizzes to fraudulently gather personal information from kids and teens. Tactics can include asking location-based questions (Where do you live? Where do you go to school?) or soliciting personal information that can be used to discern other information (What is your favorite restaurant?). Questions and quizzes can show up on social media, gaming websites, or via chats, like on Discord.
Kerbs cautions, “Children are often tricked into purchasing fake in-game currency or items through illegitimate websites.”
Talent Scouting
Kids and teens need to be wary of adults who express too much interest in them online. This can take the form of an adult who claims to be an online talent scout and reaches out directly to a child via social media, e-mail, or text. Posing as talent agents or scouts, scammers will contact young people via social media platforms like Instagram or TikTok, offering to represent them or providing opportunities for auditions or modeling gigs.
Scammers may even set up fake talent agencies to target young people aspiring to become models or actors, then charge exorbitant fees for services that are never delivered or may require victims to send explicit photos. “Verifying offers through official channels is always a good practice,” says Litwin.
Financial Scams
Many older, college-bound teens will end up on plenty of e-mail and text lists. A growing ruse that scammers use is claiming to represent colleges or universities offering financial aid or pretending to be brokers to capture personal information, then extorting money. Plus, with the rising popularity of cryptocurrency, kids interested in exploring financial investing are being targeted in cryptocurrency scams with the promise of fraudulent financial windfalls.
Online Dating and Romance
Scammers will create fake online dating profiles to target young people seeking romantic relationships. They often build trust over time before asking for money or personal information.
Increasingly, young boys are being exploited by predators pretending to be girls, who then exploit their trust. Scammers will threaten to release explicit images or videos of a victim if they don’t comply with their demands.
Requests to Meet in Person
Online scammers often create a sense of connection and intimacy with their victims. A common red flag is an online request to meet in real life. Sometimes the scammer will claim to live nearby or know a friend of a friend. They may share personal information, express romantic feelings, or offer support to establish a strong rapport, much of which is untrue. By targeting young people who may be vulnerable because they are lonely, isolated, or experiencing personal challenges, scammers prey on victims’ emotional needs and insecurities to manipulate them into meeting in person.
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So, what can parents do to protect their kids?
- Report online scams immediately. If your child falls victim to a scam, help them by reporting the incident to the service provider (i.e., social media, gaming platform, etc.) or the appropriate criminal or local authorities.
- Change and diversify passwords. If any accounts were compromised, passwords should be changed immediately. Additionally, it’s good practice to diversify passwords rather than using and repeating the same password for different accounts.
- Warn peers. Letting friends and family know about the scam can help prevent others from falling victim.
- Encourage kids to be skeptical. Help your kids recognize red flags and be wary of unsolicited messages or offers.
- Use parental controls. Plenty of tools are available to help you monitor your kids’ online activity.
Most importantly, our digital safety experts say parents should regularly discuss internet safety and digital literacy with their kids to ensure everyone recognizes the red flags for online scams.
“Digital literacy helps kids understand the online landscape,” explains Kerbs. “By developing critical thinking skills and teaching kids how to assess the legitimacy of websites, e-mails, and messages, we reduce their vulnerability to scams. Digital literacy also empowers children to ask questions, recognize red flags, and make informed decisions.”
