What to do if your child gets scammed online: A parent’s step-by-step guide

Online scams don’t just target adults anymore. Many scams now specifically target children and teenagers through games, social media, and messaging apps such as Roblox, Fortnite, TikTok, Instagram, and Discord. Fake giveaways, promises of in-game rewards, phishing messages, fake websites, and online shopping scams such as fake ticket sales or “trust trades” in online games are common traps.

Sometimes scammers even pretend to be trusted influencers or well-known creators like MrBeast or Dhar Mann to gain credibility.

Key statistics

Research from the UK Safer Internet Centre (UKSIC) shows that exposure to scams is becoming a regular part of young people’s online lives.

• 79% of children aged 8–17 encounter online scams at least once a month
• 45% see scams at least once a week
• 20% report seeing scams every day
• 46% say they have been scammed online
• 18% know someone their age who has lost money to a scam
• 26% of children who were scammed blame themselves
• 74% want to learn more about how to spot scams online

When it happens, many children feel embarrassed or afraid of getting in trouble. Some hide what happened, hoping the problem will go away. Others panic, especially if the scammer starts threatening them or asking for more money.

For parents, the most important thing is to stay calm and support your child. It’s not their fault. Scammers use sophisticated tactics, including AI, social engineering, and psychological pressure designed to manipulate people of all ages.

With the right steps, you can limit the damage, secure your child’s accounts, and turn the experience into a valuable lesson about staying safe online.

Your child was scammed online: What parents should do next

1. Stay calm and listen first

Your child may already feel ashamed or scared. If they expect anger or punishment, they may stop sharing what happened. Be glad they told you, and create a safe space so your child feels comfortable telling you the whole story.

2. Understand exactly what happened

Before taking action, understand how the scam unfolded.

Ask questions like:

• Where did it happen? (a game, social media, messaging app, email)
• Did they click a link or download something?
• Did they share personal information?
• Did they send money or gift cards?
• Did they share a password or verification code?
• Did they send photos or videos?

3. Take these immediate action steps

• Stop and block. Cut off contact and block the scammer. Do not negotiate or send more money. Threats are often part of the scam.

• Secure evidence. Take screenshots of conversations, usernames, links, and any payment details before blocking the account.

• Report the scam. Use the reporting tools on the platform where it happened (for example Instagram, Discord, Roblox).

Specific high-risk scenarios

If money or sensitive information was stolen

• Contact your bank or payment provider immediately to stop or reverse transactions if possible.
• Monitor accounts for suspicious activity in the following days and weeks.
• Consider freezing your child’s credit if personal information such as their full name, address, or Social Security number was shared (where applicable).
• Report the fraud to national authorities. In the U.S., for example, this can be done through the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

If the scam involves sextortion

• Do not pay, paying rarely stops the scammer.
• Stop communication and save evidence such as usernames, messages, and screenshots.
• Report the situation immediately to the platform and relevant authorities.
• Use specialized services that help remove images online. In the U.S., for example, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children runs the CyberTipline and the Take It Down service to help stop the spread of images.

Most importantly, reassure your child that they are not alone and that help is available.

4. Secure the affected accounts

Many scams aim to steal account access. Even if your child only clicked a link or shared limited information, secure the account immediately.

Take these steps:

• Change the password right away
• Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA)
• Log out of all active sessions
• Remove suspicious connected apps or extensions
• Check recovery email and phone numbers

If the same password was used on other accounts, change those, too. Scammers often try the same login details across multiple platforms.

5. Check the device for suspicious activity

If your child clicked a suspicious link, downloaded a file, or installed an app, malware may be involved.

Look for warning signs such as:

• unknown apps installed on the device
• unusual pop-ups or ads
• messages sent from your child’s account without their knowledge
• login alerts from unfamiliar locations

Running a security scan can help detect malicious apps or hidden threats.

Related: What to Do If Your Kid’s Phone Is Hacked: A Parent’s Step-by-Step Guide

6. Watch for identity misuse

If personal information was shared, scammers may try to use it later.

Watch for:

• password reset emails you didn’t request
• login alerts from unfamiliar locations
• messages asking for verification codes
• suspicious emails pretending to be trusted platforms

7. Support your child emotionally

Being scammed can feel humiliating, especially for children and teenagers. Some worry they will lose access to their devices or that parents will stop trusting them online. Reassure your child that scams are designed to manipulate people.

Focus on what they did right, especially if they came to you quickly.

Prevent future scams: Teach habits and use the right tools

Once the immediate risk is under control, the next step is helping your child recognize scams before they happen again. Explain that not everyone on the internet is who they claim to be and that scammers often rely on urgency, excitement, or fear to manipulate people.

Encourage a few basic rules:

• Never send money, gift cards, or in-game currency to strangers
• Never share passwords or verification codes
• Be cautious with links sent through messages or comments
• Check with a parent before downloading apps or files
• Be skeptical of “limited time” offers or giveaways

Technology can also help protect your child moving forward. Today’s scams don’t just target devices - they target people, often through messages, games, and apps your child uses every day.

Family-focused security tools can add an extra layer of protection by helping spot scam attempts, flag unusual activity, and protect your child’s accounts and personal information. AI-powered scam protection can catch things that are easy to miss, like impersonation or manipulation.

Solutions like Bitdefender Premium Security help keep your child safer while they explore, play, and connect online - so you can focus on supporting them, not just reacting to risks.

Take a look at one of our family plans.

FAQs

What should I do if my child was scammed online?

Start by staying calm and listening to your child without blaming them. Gather details about what happened, save evidence such as screenshots, and block the scammer. Change passwords, enable two-factor authentication on affected accounts, and report the scam to the platform where it happened. If money or sensitive information was shared, contact your bank and relevant authorities immediately.

How do scammers target children online?

Scammers often approach children through online games, social media, messaging apps, or fake websites. Common tactics include fake giveaways, promises of free in-game rewards, impersonating influencers or other players, phishing messages, and online shopping scams such as fake ticket sales or digital items. Many scams rely on urgency, excitement, or peer pressure to trick children into acting quickly.

What are the warning signs that a child may have been scammed?

Some common signs include sudden anxiety about their phone or computer, secretive behavior online, messages from strangers asking for money or personal information, unexpected charges on accounts, or login alerts from unfamiliar locations. Children may also seem embarrassed or reluctant to talk about something that happened online.

How can parents help prevent online scams targeting children?

The best protection combines open communication, education, and technology. Teach children basic online safety rules such as never sharing passwords, never sending money or gift cards to strangers, and being cautious with links or downloads. Reviewing privacy settings, keeping devices updated, and using security tools designed for families can also help reduce the risk of scams.

What should I do if my child sent money to a scammer?

Act quickly. Contact your bank, credit card company, or payment provider immediately and explain that the transaction was part of a scam. In some cases, they may be able to stop or reverse the payment, especially if you report it quickly. Save evidence such as messages, usernames, and payment details, and report the scam to the platform where it happened. Even if the money cannot be recovered, reporting helps prevent the scammer from targeting other children.

What should I do if my child sent photos to a scammer?

Stay calm and reassure your child that they are not in trouble. Do not send more images or pay the scammer, as this usually encourages further demands. Save evidence such as screenshots of messages and usernames, then block and report the account on the platform. If the scam involves threats or sexual images, report it immediately to the relevant authorities and child protection organizations. Services such as Take It Down can also help stop the spread of intimate images online.