Parents can help keep children safe from online scams by setting privacy controls, monitoring app and game use, teaching kids not to share personal information and watching for signs of suspicious messages or unknown contacts.
Learning Center / Student & Careers / How to Keep Your Child Safe From Online Scams
Keeping Your Child Safe from Online Dangers
Key takeaways
- Know which apps, games and social platforms your child uses and who can contact them.
- Use privacy settings and parental controls to manage downloads, purchases and interactions.
- Teach children not to share personal information, passwords or financial details online.
- Watch for red flags like urgent messages, unknown contacts or unusual activity.
- Act quickly if your child’s information may be misused by contacting credit bureaus and relevant organizations.
Digital devices can be a helpful tool for busy parents and caregivers. A game, video or app may keep a child occupied long enough to make dinner, finish laundry or catch up on email.
But children’s online activity can also create opportunities for scammers. In games, apps, chats and email, fraudsters may try to build trust, create urgency or trick children into sharing personal information.
These online safety tips can help parents and caregivers protect children, personal information and the whole household from scams.
How can you understand how your child spends time online?
Online games and apps can entertain children and, in some cases, help them learn. But it’s important to understand what your child is downloading, how each platform works and which privacy settings are available.
Look for settings that limit who can contact your child, whether there are separate modes for adults and children, and whether direct or private messaging can be turned off. Be especially cautious with apps or games that allow one-on-one messages from people your child does not know.
Understanding these features is one of the first steps toward making safer choices for your family.
For additional guidance, parents can review online safety resources from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and other trusted consumer protection organizations.
Talk with your child about online scams
Scammers may target children through games, apps, social media, texts and email. Children and teens may be comfortable using technology, but they may not always recognize when someone is trying to trick them.
Use simple, real-life examples. Remind your child not to chat with strangers online or share personal details, just as they should not share private information with strangers in person.
Encourage them to come to you right away if a message, request or online interaction feels confusing or uncomfortable. With teens, consider reviewing a suspicious email or text together and pointing out common warning signs, such as poor grammar, an unfamiliar sender, a request for personal information or pressure to act immediately.
How can you monitor your child’s online activity and improve security?
Parental control tools can help you manage screen time, limit downloads and keep an eye on activity. Also watch for behavior changes, such as a child suddenly mentioning a new online friend, becoming secretive with a device or hesitating to show you an app or message.
Teach children and teens to pause before responding to urgent or emotional messages from strangers. Scammers often use pressure, fear or excitement to get people to click a link, send money or share information before they have time to think.
Good password habits can also help protect your family. Use unique passwords for each account, avoid easy-to-guess details and consider a trusted password manager. Remind children not to write passwords where others can find them or share passwords with friends.
What should you do if your child’s information is stolen or misused?
Unexpected mail in your child’s name, such as credit card offers, bills, collection notices or tax correspondence, may be a sign that someone is using your child’s personal information. If that happens, take action quickly:
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Contact the three major credit bureaus to ask whether a credit file exists in your child’s name. If needed, ask about placing a credit freeze and speak with the fraud department.
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Report any incident involving your child’s Social Security number to the appropriate government agency, including the Social Security Administration. If you receive tax-related correspondence, contact the IRS.
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If you receive bills or collection notices in your child’s name, contact the company that sent them and ask for the fraud department.
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Consider filing reports with your local police department and the FTC.
Online games, apps and social platforms can be fun and useful, but they can also expose children to people who may not have good intentions. By staying involved, setting clear expectations and helping children recognize red flags, parents and caregivers can reduce risk and help children build safer online habits.
For more on personal finance topics
For more tips on protecting yourself and family from online scams, TD Bank offers a series of articles with a wealth of information about steps you can take to keep from becoming a victim.
If you have more questions about other personal finance topics that matter to you, visit the Learning Center on TD Bank’s website.
We hope you found this helpful. This article is based on information available in July 2023 and is subject to change. It is provided as a convenience and for general information purposes only. Our content is not intended to provide legal, tax, investment, or financial advice or to indicate that a particular TD Bank or third-party product or service is available or right for you.
For specific advice about your unique circumstances, consider talking with a qualified professional.
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FAQs
Common scams may include fake contests, phishing messages, suspicious links, in-game requests for personal information, impersonation attempts and messages that pressure a child to act quickly.
Children should avoid sharing their full name, address, school, phone number, passwords, financial information, Social Security number, birth date or details that could help someone guess security answers.
Warning signs may include secrecy around devices, a sudden new online friend, requests for gift cards or money, messages that create urgency, or unexplained emails, bills or account alerts in your child’s name.
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