In today’s interconnected world, the internet serves as a double-edged sword, offering vast opportunities while posing significant risks. While much attention is given to protecting children from online predators, it is equally crucial to ensure they do not become perpetrators of harmful behaviour themselves. Instances of cyberbullying, trolling, and online harassment are alarmingly prevalent among Indian youths. A 2022 report on cyber safety revealed that 85% of Indian children have experienced cyberbullying (the highest globally) with many admitting to engaging in such behaviour themselves. This statistic underscores the urgent need for proactive parental guidance to prevent children from contributing to the darker facets of the digital realm. However, the dangers of the digital world extend beyond social interactions, children are also highly vulnerable to online fraud, scams, and identity theft.
Common Online Scams and How to Avoid Them
Online scams target unsuspecting users, particularly children and teens, by exploiting their trust, curiosity, and lack of awareness. These scams can result in financial loss, identity theft, emotional trauma, or even severe psychological consequences. Below are some of the most common scams and how to safeguard against them.
- Phishing Attacks
Phishing is a form of online fraud where scammers impersonate trusted entities to steal sensitive information like passwords, banking details, or personal data.
- Example: A child receives an email claiming they have won a free gaming console and must enter their details to claim it.
- Prevention: Teach children to verify email sources, avoid clicking on unknown links, and check for suspicious sender addresses.
- In-Game Scams & Dangerous Online Challenges
Scammers manipulate young gamers by offering free rewards, tricking them into sharing personal details, or leading them into dangerous online challenges.
- Example: A fraudster promises “free skins” or in-game currency in exchange for login details, leading to stolen accounts or financial loss. Some children also unknowingly deplete their parents’ savings on in-game purchases.
- Prevention: Set spending limits, use parental controls, and teach children the risks of “free offers” and in-game scams.
Dangerous Online Challenges & Games
Some online games go beyond fraud, actively manipulating children into self-harm or dangerous activities. Examples include:
- Blue Whale Challenge – A deadly challenge that pressured teens into completing self-harm tasks, leading to suicides worldwide.
- Momo Challenge – A disturbing game that sent threats, forcing children into risky behaviour.
- Jonathan Galindo Challenge – A masked online entity that manipulated kids through social media and gaming platforms.
Prevention: Monitor their gaming and online interactions, educate them about peer pressure and manipulation tactics, encourage open communication so they feel safe reporting suspicious activity and use parental controls to block harmful content.
- Fake Giveaways & Contests
These scams trick users into providing personal data by falsely promising expensive prizes like smartphones, game credits, or exclusive merchandise.
- Example: A pop-up claims, “You have won an iPhone! Enter your details to claim it!”
- Prevention: Remind children that legitimate contests never ask for sensitive information upfront and that “too good to be true” offers are often scams.
- Online Extortion (Sextortion)
Sextortion occurs when criminals manipulate individuals into sharing private images or videos and later use them for blackmail.
- Example: A child is tricked into sending personal photos to a new online “friend” who later threatens to share them unless demands are met.
- Prevention:
- Teach children not to share private content online, even with trusted people.
- Encourage them to block and report suspicious individuals.
- Reassure them that they can seek help from parents or authorities without fear of punishment.
- Job or Scholarship Scams
These scams prey on young students eager for career opportunities, tricking them into paying fraudulent application fees.
- Example: “Pay ₹500 for processing fees to secure an internship!”
- Prevention: Verify job and scholarship opportunities through official sources, never pay upfront fees for job offers or academic grants and encourage children to seek guidance from teachers or career counsellors before applying for unfamiliar opportunities.
Beyond avoiding online scams, children must also understand the broader impact of their digital actions and how their behaviour online shapes their digital persona.
Understanding the Digital Persona
Children often see online interactions as less impactful, leading to a disconnect between actions and consequences (online disinhibition effect). This can encourage behaviours they’d avoid in person. Parents can help by fostering empathy and showing how online actions affect real people. Comparing digital behaviour to real-life interactions makes the impact clearer. To help them navigate this responsibly, setting clear digital boundaries is essential.
Establishing Clear Digital Boundaries
Setting explicit guidelines about safe internet use is crucial. These should cover:
- Respectful communication—reminding children that words have real-world consequences.
- Privacy protection—teaching them the risks of oversharing personal details.
- The dangers of inappropriate content—explaining legal and emotional consequences.
Recognising and Addressing Negative Online Behaviours
Parents should stay alert for signs of harmful online activities:
- Sudden secrecy about online interactions
- Increased screen time
- Defensive behaviour when discussing internet use
Open discussions about the emotional and legal ramifications of cyberbullying can deter negative behaviour. Sharing real-life cases of legal actions against cyberbullies can serve as a wake-up call. Shifting children’s focus to positive digital engagement can further reduce the risk of negative online behaviour.
Navigating the digital landscape requires a concerted effort from parents to guide children towards responsible internet use. By understanding cybersecurity risks, monitoring online activities, and reinforcing ethical digital practices, children can be protected not only from external threats but also from becoming contributors to harmful online behaviour.
At Narayana Schools, our commitment goes beyond academic excellence, we strive to nurture responsible and ethical digital citizens. Every dream deserves a secure space to flourish and we ensure that aspirations are realised in a safe and supportive environment because, at Narayana Schools, your dreams are our dreams.
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