5 Ways to Protect your Children from Online Scams

Online threats to young people are a growing concern, with children facing issues like screen addiction, body image pressures, bullying, grooming, and scams.

New research from the UK Safer Internet Centre (UKSIC) reveals the scale of the problem.

According to UKSIC, eight in 10 young people aged 8 to 17 encounter scams online at least once a month, almost half see them weekly, and one in five faces them daily.

Worryingly, nearly half of those surveyed have fallen victim to a scam, with one in 10 losing money.

While the statistics are alarming, parents and guardians can take action.

By following a few key steps and sharing essential scam prevention advice, you can help protect your children from online harm. Here’s how.

Talk about It

With limited life experience, children and young people may find it hard to distinguish real sites and apps from fake, malicious content.

It’s crucial to teach them the basics of online safety and scam prevention.

Encourage them to be cautious of anything that seems too good to be true—not just offers and competitions but also profiles of people flaunting luxury lifestyles or promoting ‘get rich quick’ schemes and courses.

Introduce the ‘Take 5’ rules:

• Stop: Take time to think and verify any request before sharing money or personal information.
• Challenge: Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, it’s okay to walk away and end online contact.
• Protect: Know your trusted adults—the ones you can approach without fear of judgment—to ask questions or share concerns about anything encountered online.

Supervise Content

If your child wants to download an app or join a social media platform, explore new content together.

As a parent or guardian, always check it thoroughly before allowing them to share personal information. Many scam and copycat apps exist to steal data and money.

When it comes to apps, pay attention to who published them, the age rating, user reviews, and whether they include in-app purchases (micropayments).

Children can sometimes make these purchases without realising—for example, buying items within a game. Often, the first sign is a series of small charges on your card statement.

To avoid surprises, ensure you fully understand how in-app purchases work before giving your child access.

Set Strong Passwords

Ensure your children use strong, unique passwords for their online accounts and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever available.

If they’re using a password manager, they can generate random combinations of numbers, letters, and symbols for maximum security.

If they prefer to remember passwords themselves, encourage them to create a passphrase using three or more random words.

Take time to learn more about creating strong passwords and setting up 2FA for added protection.

Set a Family Password

Agreeing on a family password known only to immediate family can help you and your children spot impostors pretending to be loved ones.

The well-known “Hi Mum/Dad” scam often starts with a WhatsApp message claiming to be from your child’s new number. The scammer quickly asks for money, hoping you’ll act without question.

It’s common for social media or email accounts to be hacked, with criminals sending messages to contacts, spinning emotional stories and requesting financial help.

The request may involve a bank transfer to an unfamiliar account or payment in gift cards.

If you or your child receives an unexpected message like this, a family password offers a fast way to verify it.

Still, always double-check by speaking to the person directly—either face to face or by calling their original number.

Check Privacy Settings

If your child uses social media, view their profile while logged out or from another account to check what information is publicly visible. Adjust privacy settings as needed.

Details like their location, school, or birthday can increase the risk of identity theft or make them vulnerable to online scammers or predators.

There’s also the danger of jigsaw identification, where malicious actors piece together information from multiple public profiles to build a detailed picture of your child’s life and identity.

That’s why it’s important to step back and assess the bigger picture of their online presence.

Protecting your children from online scams might feel overwhelming, but taking proactive steps can make a real difference.

Encourage open conversations about their online experiences, regularly review privacy settings, and teach them how to recognise and avoid suspicious content.

By staying informed and sharing practical advice, you can empower your children to navigate the digital world safely and confidently.

Together, you can reduce the risks and help them build strong habits that will protect them now and in the future.