How to talk to your kids about online scams in games

Online scams aren’t just targeting adults. Increasingly, they’re targeting kids, too. Kids spend hours online, often with access to in-game currency or their parents’ credit cards. From fake rewards to stolen accounts, online threats are evolving fast. Parents need to know what to be mindful of and how to help their kids stay safe.

Businesses are feeling it too, as Verizon’s recent annual Data Breach Investigation Report reveals a significant increase in cyberattacks for businesses.

Even the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau—a federal agency more known for policing credit cards and banks—recently issued a public warning about online scams in video games. Their message? Kids and parents are getting hit with fraud on gaming platforms more often than you’d think.

These scams have happened in real time with my own kids, and it’s surprisingly easy to fall for them. So let’s break down how they work and what you can do to help your kids stay ahead of them.

These are some examples of scams your child may encounter:

• The online friend. A kid meets someone in-game who seems like a friend. That “friend” shares a too-good-to-be-true offer—like free Robux or an exclusive item. The child trusts them and ends up sharing personal info or login credentials.
• Direct messages and fake links. These messages promise rewards in exchange for small actions—such as selecting a link, completing a survey or entering a password. But the links often steal personal information or install malware.
• Fake giveaways on social media. Platforms like TikTok, YouTube and Snapchat are full of “giveaways.” Influencers—or bots pretending to be them—offer rare items or “exclusive” perks in exchange for account info. Kids sign up, and suddenly their account is gone.

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Here are a few ways to help kids play it safer:

• Teach skepticism. Teach kids that if it seems too good to be true, it probably is, especially if it comes to free Robux or rare in-game items.
• Talk regularly about scams. Bring up examples from games they’re playing and ask if they’ve encountered anything recently. Make it part of regular chats during dinner or after games.
• Practice critical thinking together. Encourage them to ask: “Who’s offering this, and what are they getting in return?”
• Use parental controls. Use built-in parental controls on devices, games and social media to filter risky content. Tools like Verizon Family let you monitor activity and limit access, adding another layer of protection.

A crucial aspect of online safety is protecting personal information: 

• Never share personal information like your child’s real name, school, home address or passwords.
• Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever possible for an extra layer of protection.
• Avoid saving credit card info in games.
• Keep logins private. Don’t share them with anyone. Parents can keep the passwords to themselves until their child is old enough to understand how to keep them secure.

The rise of online scams targeting kids is a serious concern, but with the right tools and guidance, parents can empower their children to make safer choices online.

Resources like Verizon Family can help you monitor activity and start conversations when something doesn’t feel right. Together, we can help ensure a safer, more informed digital experience for the next generation.