[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.qustodio.com\/public-site\/uploads\/2024\/04\/23073345\/Hero-2.png” alt=”Help your child spot online scams” title_text=”Hero” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||24px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-80px|||||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
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Online scams have been around since the early days of the internet. Emails informing us of large inheritances from long-lost relatives, competition wins, and generous offers from Nigerian royalty have been filling our spam folders for the last 30 years.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While email scams are alive and well, the explosion of social media has brought new ways of tricking people out of their money or personal information. Some are so inventive and convincing that even the most tech-savvy adults can fall for them.<\/span><\/p>\n As it\u2019s children who are often targeted by scammers, especially on <\/span>social media<\/span><\/a>, it\u2019s important that we teach them how to identify – and avoid falling for – online scams.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Today\u2019s children spend more time online than any previous generation, and there\u2019s a chance your child knows how to use your phone better than you do.<\/span><\/p>\n However, their digital literacy does not protect them from internet fraud, and scammers are increasingly targeting the youngest generations for several reasons.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Unlike adults, children are <\/span>unlikely to have had experiences with scams and tend to be more trusting of others <\/b>– especially those posing as authority figures, friends, or family. Children are also more likely to <\/span>overlook or ignore signs of a scam<\/b> when promised something they want. They might not fully realize the <\/span>dangers of revealing personal data<\/b> either.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n But it\u2019s the rise in social media<\/span> use<\/span> that has put young people squarely in a scammer’s line of fire.\u00a0<\/span> [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n A 2023 report by the United States Federal Trade Commission showed that <\/span>one in four people who reported losing money to fraud since 2021 said it happened on social media<\/span><\/a>. During the same period, reported losses to scams on social media hit<\/span> $2.7 billion <\/b>– far higher than any other method of contact. The report points out that the vast majority of frauds go unreported, so the actual figure is likely to be much higher.<\/span><\/p>\n Instagram and other social media platforms are attractive to scammers because they allow them to <\/span>create a fake persona, or hack into someone\u2019s profile and pretend to be them<\/b>. Crafty scammers can even <\/span>tailor their schemes based on an individual\u2019s interests<\/b> and the kind of content they post.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A scammer might not necessarily slide into your DMs either. The most frequently reported scam in the first half of 2023 was from people <\/span>paying for goods advertised on social media only for them never to show up.<\/b> The marketing tools offered by social media platforms make it easy, and cheap, for scammers to create bogus advertisements and target victims based on personal details, like age, interests, and past purchases.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n With children worldwide spending more time than ever on social media – our 2023 data report showed that they spent <\/span>112 minutes, 74 minutes, and 63 minutes daily on TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram<\/span><\/a> respectively – it\u2019s inevitable that they\u2019ll encounter a scam at some point.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.qustodio.com\/public-site\/uploads\/2024\/04\/23073720\/InsideImage-2.png” alt=”Help your child spot online scams” title_text=”InsideImage” align=”center” disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”Image” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n We can\u2019t 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.<\/span><\/p>\n 1. Stay calm<\/b><\/p>\n Establishing a calm environment where your child feels listened to will allow them to open up about what\u2019s happening in their online life.<\/span><\/p>\n 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. <\/span>Before getting the facts, assure them that they\u2019ve done nothing wrong and they made the right decision in coming to you.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n 2. Stress the importance of privacy<\/b><\/b><\/p>\n 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\u2019ve met on social media or while gaming.<\/span><\/p>\n While this kind of getting-to-know-you details might not seem as risky as divulging passwords, fraudsters can use a child\u2019s personal information to open online accounts, apply for credit cards and loans, and much more.<\/p>\n 3. Get familiar with common scams<\/b><\/p>\n Before you talk about the signs of a scam, it\u2019s a good idea to go over the typical methods and schemes used by swindlers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Scams can come in countless forms, but here are a few common ones:<\/span><\/p>\n Technological advancements like AI mean that scams will only get more creative and convincing – so it\u2019s a good idea to stay updated on scam trends.<\/span><\/p>\n 4. Prepare a checklist of red flags<\/b><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Help your child recognize scams by creating a checklist together of other typical signs that they can refer to. Be sure to include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 5. Read the platform\u2019s policies on scams<\/b><\/b><\/p>\n The popular social media platforms will have advice for avoiding and reporting a scam, and it\u2019s worth both of you familiarizing yourselves with the guidelines.<\/span><\/p>\n For example, <\/span>Facebook<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Instagram\u2019s<\/span><\/a> help centers give plenty of tips and tools to help protect you from scammers and advice on what to do if you\u2019ve been targeted.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n 6. Stay in the know\u00a0<\/b><\/b><\/p>\nWhy might kids be susceptible to online scams?<\/b><\/h2>\n
\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nSocial media: a \u201cgolden goose\u201d for scammers<\/b><\/h2>\n
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How to help your child spot and avoid online scams<\/b><\/h2>\n
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