Why talk about scams now

Children meet messages early. They come in games, videos, chats and emails. Some of them are tricks.

Tricks aimed at children are often about games. Free game coins, a new outfit for their character, or a prize.

Your child doesn't need to know every trick. They need to know when to stop and ask.

What a scam is

Keep it simple.

You could say

“A scam is a trick. Someone pretends, to get your money or your secrets.”

Secrets means things like passwords, codes, and where you live.

Three questions for any message

Teach these three questions. They work for a message, a pop-up or a phone call.

  1. Who sent it? Do you really know them? Is the name a little bit wrong?
  2. What does it want? Money, a password, a code, or a click?
  3. Is it rushing you? "Only 5 minutes left!" is a warning sign. Real friends and real companies can wait.

If any answer feels wrong, stop. Ask a grown-up before doing anything.

The tricks children meet most

  • Free game money. "Get 10,000 free coins! Just log in here." It wants their password.
  • The prize that costs money. "You won a bike! Pay a small fee to get it." A real prize never asks you to pay.
  • The friend who isn't. A message that looks like it's from a friend, or from the game, asks for their password.
  • The secret code. "We sent you a code. Tell us what it says." That code can open their account. Never share it.
  • The rush. "Your account will close today unless you click." The hurry is the trick.

Rules to agree on

  • Never share a password or a code, even with a friend.
  • Never pay to get a prize.
  • Don't click links in surprise messages. Ask first.
  • Tell a grown-up about anything that feels strange. You won't be in trouble.

If your child clicked, or shared something

Stay calm. If telling gets them in trouble, they may not tell you next time.

Thank them for telling you. Then do these things together.

  • Change the password for that account straight away.
  • If a card or a payment was used, call your bank.
  • Report the message or the account in the game or app.
  • Talk about the clues, so the next one is easier to spot.