5 common online scams targeting children (and how to stop them)
by Kate Hernandez | October 30, 2025 | Threat Lab
Reading Time: 4 mins
Your kids are probably online right now—gaming, chatting, or scrolling through social media. That digital freedom puts them at a growing risk. In 2023 alone, more than 18,000 scams targeting people under age 20 were reported in the U.S., leading to over $40.7 million in losses, according to KeyBank.
Cybercriminals know that children are trusting, curious, and quick to click—making them easy targets for fake giveaways, phishing links, and emotional manipulation. While you’re busy managing homework, sports, and dinner, scammers are working around the clock to exploit your child’s screen time and inexperience.
Why scammers target kids
Kids and teens spend hours online, often without the skepticism adults develop. Scammers take advantage of that trust—posing as friends, influencers, or even gaming companies. They build credibility through fake profiles and persuasive messages that lure kids into sharing personal information or downloading harmful files.
Children rarely stop to verify before clicking. A message offering free game credits or a DM from a “celebrity” can feel thrilling and harmless—until it leads to stolen accounts or personal data exposure.
Hear are some of the most common scams targeting children and teens.
1. Gaming platform scams
If your child plays Roblox, Fortnite, or similar games, beware of “free rewards” scams. Cybercriminals use search terms like “free V-Bucks” or “free Robux” to create fake websites promising in-game currency. These sites often rank high in search results, looking completely legitimate.
Once kids enter their login info or download a file, their accounts can be hijacked—or their devices infected with malware.
Parent tip: Legitimate gaming companies never give away currency through third-party sites. If it sounds too good to be true, it is.
2. Social media impersonation
Fake accounts pretending to be friends, classmates, or influencers trick kids into sharing personal details or clicking malicious links. Scammers use stolen photos and even AI-generated images to make their profiles convincing.
Your child might get a message that looks like it’s from a best friend or favorite creator offering a “special link” or “exclusive prize.” A single click can install malware or expose sensitive information.
Parent Tip: Encourage kids to verify requests through another channel—like texting their real friend before responding online.
3. Sextortion schemes
This is one of the most devastating forms of online exploitation. Predators pose as peers, manipulating teens into sharing private photos, then threatening to release them unless they pay money or send more images.
Thorn reports that 1 in 5 teens (20%) have experienced sextortion, and the FBI confirms that it has contributed to at least 12,600 known victims.
Parent Tip: Keep communication open. Let your kids know they can always come to you—no matter what’s happened online.
4. Fake influencer giveaways
Scammers mimic popular online and social media influencers with near-perfect replicas of their profiles. They announce fake “giveaways” or “exclusive contests,” then ask winners to pay a fee to claim prizes or “cover shipping.”
Real influencers never ask for payment or banking details.
Parent Tip: Double-check usernames, follower counts, and verification badges before trusting any giveaway or message.
5. Friendship and romance scams
These scams grow slowly over time. Predators build emotional connections with children—often through gaming or social media. Once trust forms, they ask for money, personal info, or inappropriate content.
These relationships can last weeks or months before escalating.
Parent Tip: Watch for secrecy or sudden emotional changes. If a child becomes overly protective of a “friend” they met online, that’s a red flag.
How to protect your family online
Modern parenting requires modern tools. Webroot Total Protection offers a layered defense that helps you manage your child’s digital safety with ease:
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Real-time threat detection |
Blocks malicious websites, phishing links, and dangerous downloads before they reach your child’s device. |
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Parental controls |
Set screen time limits, block inappropriate websites, and tailor protection by age—without constant monitoring. |
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Identity protection |
If your child’s data appears in a breach, Webroot alerts you instantly—with up to $1 million in reimbursement for fraud-related expenses. |
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Password management |
Generates and stores strong, unique passwords so your family doesn’t have to remember them all. |
Your family’s scam-safety action plan
Online safety starts with open conversations, clear rules, and a little consistency. These everyday habits help your kids build awareness and confidence—so they can spot scams before they spread.
- Start the conversation early – Talk openly about online scams without judgment.
- Set clear rules – No sharing passwords, personal info, or photos with strangers online.
- Review privacy settings – Help kids lock down social accounts and gaming profiles.
- Teach the “pause and verify” habit – When something feels off, stop and ask a parent.
- Enable multi-factor authentication – Especially for email, gaming, and social accounts.
- Stay involved – Keep devices in shared areas and check in regularly about online activity.
- Keep devices protected – Make sure to have security and antivirus software on all devices in your household. Consider using a password management tool to help protect your family’s accounts.
The bottom line
The goal isn’t to eliminate technology—it’s to help kids use it wisely. With education, open dialogue, and security tools like Webroot Total Protection, your family can enjoy all the best parts of being online—without falling for scams that prey on trust and curiosity.
