Kids are now more in the internet zone than playing outside, learning, or talking to friends. However, we must recognise the internet and what it has to offer; we should also not underestimate, shall we, the dangers that are inherent in such connections. Con artists are now presenting their scams in a more professional way, which can easily dupe even the biggest technophobe. Should such schemes be pulled on adults, imagine the fate of kids who are far more vulnerable than adults. The solution? Teach them early. Below is the list to guide you to put in place measures to ensure that your children do not fall prey to online scams.

1. Explain What Online Scams Are

The initial process is to explain to your children what scams are in the first place. They are scams intended to trick people into parting with their cash, identity information, or other related details. In teaching concepts such as phishing emails, fake websites, or suspicious links, it is important to make good use of potentially dangerous examples, befitting the age of the children. Inform them that not all people you meet on the internet are harmless.

2. Encourage Open Communication

Your children should be capable of reporting any event that they find fishy on the internet. Develop an atmosphere that enables those people to express themselves without any form of prejudice being exercised against them. Instruct the student that it’s alright to seek answers, even on simple matters. Probably, a small doubt could save from a big problem.

3. Set Privacy Rules

As a rule, the children do not understand that the personal details are precious. Make sure they know never to post their name and the school they attend, their address, or their phone number on the internet. Why privacy is important and how even the simplest data can be used by scammers.

4. Filtering out the phishing links and messages

This is because most scammers are specific in messages; they give children, and this is what makes their work easier. Such could be lies that the apps promise users free games, exclusive content, or big receivables. Ensure your children do not follow any link without thinking and tell them to check with you if something appears too good to be real.

5. Using These, Teach Them About Secure Websites

Teach your kids how to search for safe sites. Check in the address bar for the padlock icon and also make sure that the address of the website has an ‘s’ at the end of HTTP://; for example, https.

6. Let them know there are fake friend requests.

Fraudsters tend to make their appearance in online gaming or social media platforms. Explain to your children not to accept any friend requests from a stranger because they don’t know them. Tell your listener that these thieves do not show up from the blue, but instead, they will try to be friendly as though they have known you for a long time.

7. Draw the Risks of Using the Same Password

Ensure that your children understand that their passwords are supposed to be a secret. Teach them how to set up and develop good passwords that are the best and different for every other account. If they are so young that they can't remember multiple passwords, use the password manager as a couple.

8. Install Parental Controls

Parental control can also be set in devices just to prevent children from having access to the wrong websites. Though these tools are not one hundred percent effective, they work more like protection during the formative years of a child. Each pair shall act as website overseers and explain why a particular website is blocked.

9. Keep Their Devices Secure

As much as possible, your children’s devices should have the latest antivirus installed. Explain to them on issues of software updates, for most of them contain updates in security. It is much more difficult for scammers to take control of a secure device.

Final Thoughts

Another astonishing issue is that protecting kids from online scams is not only a question of minimising their time on the internet or banning suspicious websites. And, it is about giving them the information and know-how to help manage their interaction with the Internet. Teach them now—there are no early training ages for your kids to face the problems in cyberspace.

As much as it is important for us, remember that their safety in cyberspace starts with you. The more active one is, the better the chances they do not become a victim. Don’t think they need to rethink; talk to your kids now!