Raising Scam-Savvy Kids: Teach kids to spot them and stop them

Let’s face it—kids today are growing up in a digital world where the line between friend and fraudster isn’t always clear. From sketchy text messages to shady gaming links and fake social media ads, scams are everywhere. But the good news? You don’t have to be a cybersecurity expert to help your kids stay safe. You just need to start the conversation.

Start Early—and Keep Talking

It’s never too early to talk to your child about scams. Even young kids can understand the basics of being cautious online. You don’t need to make it scary—just part of regular conversations. Think of it like teaching them to look both ways before crossing the street. Online safety is just another life skill.

Use Real-Life Examples (Yes, Even That Weird Text You Just Got)

Next time you get one of those “Your package couldn’t be delivered” or "unpaid toll" texts or a suspicious email, don’t just delete it—use it as a teachable moment. Show your child what made it suspicious. Was it from an unknown number? Was the grammar off? Did it ask for personal information? Turning these into mini-lessons helps kids recognize the red flags. You can even use news stories to kick-start the conversation.  The goal is to create a supportive, honest environment where kids feel comfortable asking questions. And remember that you as the parent or guardian need to be patient and persistent - repetition helps messages stick.

Teach the Classic Red Flags

Here are some scammy signs your child should be able to spot:

• Messages with urgent language like “Act now!” or “Your account will be locked!”
• Requests for personal info like passwords, home address, or age.
• Links or attachments from strangers—or even from friends if they seem out of character.
• Offers that seem too good to be true (“Free V-Bucks!” or “Win a new iPhone!”)

Encourage them to pause and ask: Does this make sense? Would this person really need that info from me?

Help Kids Build Their Critical Thinking Skills

The goal isn’t just to memorize rules—it’s to build the kind of judgment that makes kids stop and think before they click. Role-playing can help here. Try saying, “You just got a message from someone you don’t know offering a free game. What do you do?” Let them think it through and talk about their decision.

Create A Safe Online World For Them

Okay, we know that there is no 'safety' online. But you, as the parent, can help your child be safer by supervising young children when they are online, establishing parental controls, using privacy settings in social media and gaming accounts, and limiting their phone contacts and online friend lists to people they know personally.

About Gaming Safety

Scammers who target gamers like to exploit children's natural curiosity, trust, and love for online communities. Compound that with the fact that children often use their parents' credit cards for in-game purchases, and you start to understand why cybercriminals target gaming.  Here are just a few tips for safer gaming habits include:

1. Use strong, unique passwords for gaming accounts.  Criminals have been known to use brute force hacking software to gain access to a gaming account. Strong unique passwords are ones that are long, complex, and unique to each account. They should be at least 16 characters long and include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. They should not be easily guessable.
2. Only play with people you know in real life, because strangers aren't always who they say they are.
3. Avoid voice chat with unknown players, or keep it muted/monitored.
4. Don't share personal info in games or profiles.
5. Watch for scams disguised as an offer. Kids are often targeted with promises of cheat codes, rare items, free in-game rewards, etc.
6. And again, encourage kids to talk to you if anything makes them uncomfortable or feels weird.

Beware the “Free” Trap

Remind your child that free isn’t always free. Free downloads and “trial offers” often come with hidden costs—like viruses, scams, or auto-renewing subscriptions. Teach them to check with you before downloading anything or clicking on ads promising free stuff.

Once It’s Out There, It’s Out There

One of the hardest internet lessons? The “delete” button isn’t magic. Once something is online—photos, personal info, even chat messages—it can be copied, shared, or screenshotted in seconds. Help your kids understand the importance of thinking before they share.

Keep the Lines of Communication Open

Let your child know that they can—and should—come to you if something feels off. No judgment, no trouble. The earlier they speak up, the better. And remind them: if something feels “off” in their gut, it probably is.

Reinforce Often: Never Share Personal Info

Make sure your child knows that no one online needs to know their:

• Full name
• Address
• School name
• Age or birthday
• Passwords
• Location

Help them create safe screen names that don't reveal age, location, or gender.

Even if someone seems friendly or says they are your child's age— teach your kids to be cautious. Scammers are really good at pretending.

Hears the bottom line:  You don’t need to bubble-wrap your child’s digital life—you just need to prepare them for it. A few honest conversations, some shared examples, and ongoing check-ins can go a long way toward helping your kids become confident, scam-savvy digital citizens.