The internet is full of scams, and many of them target younger users. While parents can enable protections on tablets, computers, and video game consoles, here are a few tips for families with children and young adults:
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- Never share personal information with strangers online: People you meet on social media, gaming sites, and online forums aren’t always who they claim to be. If you’re going to communicate with anyone online, be sure that it’s someone you know and even then, don’t share any personal information such as photos or your home address.
- Beware of unauthorized add-ons and mods to games: Popular online titles like Minecraft, Fornite and PUBGS have thousands of mods available on app stores like Google Play, and some of them can install malware and spyware on your devices. Avoid mods and add-ons, especially when they’re promising huge boosts to your online gaming for free.
- Remember that “free” games aren’t free: Many online games are free to install or play, but may charge money if you want to continue to play. This isn’t exactly a “scam” but it is a way that app developers make money from children and their parents.
- Don’t take online quizzes: Online personality quizzes may be fun, but often they exist solely to gather as much of your personal information as possible, send you spam or even install malware on your device.
