Teaching children how to safely navigate the digital world is just as important as teaching them road safety in a world where technology permeates every aspect of our lives. Phishing scams are a common online issue they come across.
Phishing is the use of deceptive techniques to trick someone into divulging private information, such as passwords, financial information, or personal details.
It is crucial to teach children how to spot and steer clear of phishing attempts in order to prevent them from being victims of these scams.
An estimated 500,000 predators are active on the internet every day. Youngsters who are between the ages of 12 and 15 are particularly vulnerable to being used as props or tricked by adults they meet online. The FBI reports that between the ages of 12 and 15, more than half of the victims of internet sexual exploitation fall into this age range. An estimated 89% of sexual approaches made to minors take place via instant messaging or online chat rooms.
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What Is Phishing?
“Phishing is a dishonest method in which con artists impersonate trustworthy organizations in order to fool people into divulging personal information or clicking on harmful links.”
Types Of Phishing
Types of phishing include:
1. Email Phishing: Deceptive emails posing as trusted entities.
2. Spear phishing: Attacks directed at certain people or organizations.
3. Smishing: is text-messaging phishing.
4. Vishing: Phishing through voice calls.
5. Pharming: is the practice of secretly steering people to fake websites.
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Educational Strategies to Avoid Phishing Scams
Beginning Early
Establishing a foundation for responsible digital behavior involves introducing the concepts of online safety and phishing at a young age. When describing phishing scams, use language and examples that are appropriate for the child’s age.
Interactive Learning
Engage kids in interactive activities or games designed to teach them about phishing. Learners might find cybersecurity education engaging and useful by participating in simulated settings where they must recognize dubious messages or websites.
Real-Life Examples
Provide instances of phishing attempts from real life. Show them screenshots or instances of phony texts, emails, or pop-ups that illustrate the warning signs to watch out for.
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Red flags to watch out to avoid online phishing scams
| Red Flag | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. | Messages demanding immediate action or threatening consequences |
| 2. | Suspicious URLs or slight variations in domain names |
| 3. | Misspellings or awkward language in emails or messages |
| 4. | Unsolicited requests for passwords or financial details |
| 5. | Suspicious attachments or downloads in unsolicited messages |
| 6. | Messages evoking fear, excitement, or curiosity to prompt action |
| 7. | Emails or messages from unfamiliar or unverified sources |
| 8. | Offers or prizes that seem excessively rewarding or unrealistic |
Legal Repercussions for Internet Predators
There are laws in many areas that forbid adults from “corrupting” minors or having sexually suggestive interactions with people who are younger than 18. Furthermore, it is against the law to urge and coerce kids into sending explicit photos or films of themselves, as well as to send pornographic material to them. Adults found guilty of this kind of behavior may face jail time and perhaps have to register as sex offenders as a result of their conviction.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a crucial first step in ensuring kids’ internet safety is teaching them about phishing frauds. Encourage people to traverse the internet more safely by arming them with the information and resources necessary to recognize these dishonest strategies. By teaching kids to spot shady emails, websites, and requests for personal information, you may give them lifelong skills that will make their online presence safer and more certain. This teaching continues to be a vital cornerstone as technology develops, enabling our kids to interact online with knowledge, resilience, and a critical eye toward any risks.
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You should also add some measures to be taken by the kids while observing these phishing scams. So that, they can not only become aware of the scams but also take needed action.
Recently, in my son’s school, a cyber security team came and made them aware of the scams taking place online. They also taught them the effective steps they can take to prevent themselves from phishing. I really appreciate how schools are incorporating children’s growth by providing them with this kind of additional information to the students along with knowledge of their subject matter.