How do I talk to my young kids about internet safety?
Kids are getting online earlier than ever — some as young as kindergarten. They may use the internet for school, to play games, and to chat with friends. But a child with an internet connection can pose a risk to your financial security because they don’t know what we know — the internet is full of scams.
As a parent, you might wonder how to talk to your young kids about staying safe online without scaring them. Experts say the best way is to teach them critical thinking skills early.
Why critical thinking helps keep kids safe online.
“We should start teaching kids to think critically when they’re toddlers,” said Catherine Riebschlager, a fraud prevention expert at Commerce Bank.
She says parents should use everyday moments to help kids learn.
“When I was a kid, the toy on the outside of the cereal box always looked better than the one inside,” Riebschlager said. “It’s the same idea online. We need to help kids question what they see and make smart choices.”
Teaching your child critical thinking skills can be beneficial in two ways. First, it will help prevent them from falling victim to a scam and accidentally draining your bank account. With widespread use of digital wallets, it’s easy for children to access the cards and accidentally use them in a way that puts your hard-earned savings at risk.
Second, teaching the children to think critically about their online habits could save them from falling victim to financial scams of their own when they’re old enough to have their own accounts.
Common online scams targeting kids.
Scammers create tricks to get kids to share personal information or click on unsafe links. Here are some examples:
- Pop-up ads promising free games, game money or gaming systems.
- Fake scholarship offers asking for personal details.
- Phishing messages asking for names, birthdays or other private details.
“Scammers try to make kids feel excited or rushed so they act without thinking,” Riebschlager said. “Kids should know that just because something pops up on their screen doesn’t mean they should click on it.”
Three questions every child should ask before clicking:
- Why am I getting this?
- Why does this make me feel like I have to act fast?
- Does this seem too good to be true?
These questions help kids think before they click and avoid online traps.
Practice online safety using role-playing.
Help your child build confidence in making safe choices online through role-playing. Act as the "antagonist" and present real-life digital scenarios they might encounter, such as phishing attempts or suspicious messages. Encourage them to respond, explain their reasoning and reflect on their emotions. Use this opportunity to teach critical thinking skills and reinforce safe online habits.
Simple internet safety rules for parents.
You can help protect your child online by following these rules:
Watch their screen time:
Stay in the same room when they use the internet.
No headsets while gaming:
This lets you hear what others are saying to them.
Check downloads:
Teach them to always ask before downloading anything.
Avoid online strangers:
Make sure they only talk to people they know in real life.
For older kids and teens, talk about social media safety, identity theft link opens in a new window and privacy settings. Help them create strong passwords and keep accounts private.
Keep talking about online safety.
Technology is always changing, so keep the conversation going. Ask your child what they do online, set clear rules and be a good role model.
Start today! Sit down with your child and go over the three safety questions. Teaching them how to think critically will help protect your bank account, while also setting them up for safe online practices for years to come.
