A recently published article highlights a concerning new issue. As children spend more time on mobile devices, they are becoming vulnerable to text scams that promise rewards or ask for personal information. As a result, parents are being urged to educate their children about the dangers of text scams and monitor their device usage.
Children Increasingly Falling Victim to Text Scams
The scams are becoming much more sophisticated meaning that messages look much more genuine. They suggest that children should be taught to be cautious of any message that promises a reward or asks for personal information. If in doubt, the message should be ignored, or the child should seek advice from a trusted adult.
ParentShield report that over the last year they have intercepted and blocked double the number of text scam attempts as the previous year, and is therefore issuing a warning to parents, especially those who may be considering a first mobile phone for their children.
Parents are encouraged to keep a close eye on their children’s mobile device usage and to monitor any messages they receive. If they suspect that their child has fallen victim to a text scam, they should contact their mobile network provider immediately. The mobile network provider will be able to advise on what steps to take next, including blocking the number that the scam message came from and reporting the incident to the authorities.
Text scams are a serious problem, and are becoming more sophisticated every day. It’s essential we take steps to protect our children from these types of scams and educate them about the dangers of giving away personal information or handing over money to strangers. This way, we can help keep our children safe from these text scams and ensure that they have a positive and safe experience online.
Parents and guardians play a critical role in this effort by educating their children about the dangers of text scams, monitoring their mobile device usage, and taking appropriate action if they suspect that their child has fallen victim to one. Together, we can help keep our children safe from these text scams and ensure that they have a positive and safe experience online.
About ParentShield
ParentShield is a UK-based mobile network that provides parents with a safe and secure way of introducing children to mobile phones. The rolling monthly contracts offer a range of safety features, including the removal of the traditional voicemail service. This feature was removed due to the known security weaknesses and lack of encryption for voicemails stored by major networks, which is deemed insufficient for child protection.
Parents are able to monitor their children’s text messages with full SMS monitoring and recording, and receive alerts if any concerning content is detected. The network was founded in 2017 to meet the needs of parents and professional caretakers who are responsible for the safety of children. With traditional phone boxes being a thing of the past, it has become more important to ensure that children have access to a reliable and secure mobile network, especially since they are receiving their first phone at a younger age.
ParentShield offers remote control options, allowing parents to easily set up complex allow and block lists, word alerts, and monitoring features without the need for any additional phone settings. The network aims to provide children with a sense of independence while minimizing the risks that come with using traditional carriers.
You can read the full article for yourself, which details the increasing number of children falling victim to text scams
I’ve also written about how kids can be mobile safe at school and how you can avoid becoming a victim of scams.
Are you worried about your children receiving scam messages? Do you have any advice to add?
*Disclosure: this is a collaborative post.
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Love you all ❤️
Franca 💋
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