Let’s face it — kids navigate technology better than many adults. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean they know how to stay safe from online scams and cybercriminals. As parents, it’s your job to protect them from online dangers. Take some time on this Fraud Friday to review these tips for keeping kids safe from scams.
Passwords 101
They can be a pain but strong passwords are a necessity in today’s digital age. Long gone are the days of “Password123.” Here a few tips for teaching your kids good password practices:
- Never reuse passwords. One leaked password could give scammers access to multiple accounts.
- Use a password manager. These store passwords securely, so kids only need to remember one master password. Many use fingerprints for extra security.
- Avoid easily guessable passwords. Don’t include birthdays, pet names, family members, or personal info.
- Create unique, complex passwords. This typically includes a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters.
- Passwords can be fun! Use a unique sentence and replace some letters with numbers and symbols (e.g., “I dip Chicken Nuggets in BBQ!” → IdipCh!ck3nNugg3tsin88Q!)
Defend Against Phishing
Phishing attempts are targeted at all ages. For teens, they may be disguised as scholarship offers or job opportunities. Teach your kids these red flags to look for before clicking on links or attachments:
- Misspelled URLs or added characters
- Requests to click links to provide personal info
- No secure lock symbol or “https://” in the address bar
- Poor grammar, spelling mistakes, or subtle website differences
Sniff Out Scam Apps
Some apps pretend to be games but are actually schemes to steal information or money. Always research apps before downloading, and teach your kids to do the same. Even playable game apps can still collect data like location, age, gender, and social media profiles. Encourage your kids to share the absolute minimum in all instances.
Avoid Social Media Oversharing
Kids may let their guard down on apps they trust, like social media platforms. However, scammers lurk the corners of social media to gain snippets of personal data and private info that they can use in their favor. Remind them not to overshare online.
Protect Their Identity
One tip for parents to remember: what you share about your kids online matters. Young kids’ IDs are extremely valuable to identity thieves. Even the most basic information can identify a child who has “perfect” credit. Your kid’s personal info can be sold on the dark web or passed along to scam advertisers.
Don’t share anything online that you wouldn’t be happy to share with malicious scammers as well.
If you need more guidance on keeping your kids safe from scams and online threats, reach out to your friends here at Guthrie County State Bank. We’re happy to help keep our future generations safe!