Protecting kids from scams when they're smarter than you!

There comes a moment in every parent's life when they realize their child knows more about technology than they do. Maybe it’s when your kid fixes the Wi-Fi by “just pressing some buttons.” Maybe it’s when they start rolling their eyes every time you try to take a photo and end up recording a video instead. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s when you discover that Roblox isn’t a game—it’s a game-making platform where anyone can create and sell their own games, including scammers who’d love nothing more than to chat with your unsuspecting child.

Yeah. Fun, right?

The truth is, kids today are digital natives. They don’t “use” technology; they live in it, like fish in water or influencers in front of ring lights. Meanwhile, most parents are still trying to remember if they saved their Netflix password in their Notes app or on a sticky note that definitely got thrown out. And that’s exactly why this whole thing is so dangerous—kids might know how to navigate the digital world, but they don’t always know how to protect themselves in it.

The Wild West of Online Gaming

Back in the day, if you wanted to talk to a stranger, you had to go outside (awful, I know). Now, strangers can slide directly into your kid’s DMs through a game disguised as a pixelated playground. Games like Roblox, Minecraft, and Fortnite aren’t just entertainment—they’re social platforms, marketplaces, and, occasionally, digital dark alleys where scammers and predators lurk.

It’s not that kids are reckless—it’s that they don’t see the dangers the way adults do. To them, someone offering free Robux (the in-game currency of Roblox) isn’t a con artist; they’re just a really cool, generous person who probably won’t steal their account information. (Spoiler: they will.)

So, what can parents do?

1. Keep Devices Out of Bedrooms

Yes, it’s a battle. Yes, they’ll whine. But keeping screens in shared spaces means fewer secret conversations with digital strangers and less chance of them getting caught up in something sketchy. Also, it’s just harder for a scammer to manipulate a kid when there’s an adult lurking in the background, asking, “Who are you talking to?”

2. Let Your Kids Teach You

Instead of pretending you know what’s going on (you don’t), ask your kids to explain their favorite apps and games. Let them be the experts. The more they talk, the more you’ll understand—and the more likely they’ll come to you when something feels off. Bonus: you’ll finally learn what a “griefer” is.

3. Ask the Right Questions—and Listen to Their Answers!

Don’t just lecture—ask. “How do you avoid being scammed?” “How do you know if someone isn’t trustworthy?” “Do you ever feel pressured to do things online?” And most importantly, listen to their answers! It isn’t a quiz, it’s a conversation. These questions make kids think critically about their online interactions rather than just nodding along while you drone on about internet safety.

4. Don’t Be Afraid to Say No

If an app seems shady, if a game has a terrible reputation, if a website feels like the digital equivalent of a back-alley poker game—trust your gut. You don’t have to understand every app to know when something doesn’t sit right. Set limits. Block sites. Uninstall suspicious apps. Your kid will survive (even if they claim otherwise).

The Takeaway

Kids might be tech-savvy, but they’re still kids. They need guidance, limits, and occasional eye contact with someone who isn’t a screen. The digital world is incredible, full of creativity, connection, and the occasional cat video that will change your life. But it’s also full of risks that even the most tech-fluent child isn’t equipped to handle alone. So stay curious, stay involved, and every once in a while, remind them that you did survive a childhood without Wi-Fi. (They won’t believe you, but still.)