What Parents Need to Know About MrBeast Scams

Has your child been talking about MrBeast? Maybe you've overheard the name or caught a glimpse of a video where someone’s giving away piles of cash, buying every item in a store, or building something completely over the top. That someone is likely MrBeast, one of the most-watched YouTubers in the world and a powerful presence in many children’s digital lives.

That popularity is exactly why scammers love using MrBeast’s name.

Who Is MrBeast?

MrBeast is the online name of Jimmy Donaldson, a 26-year-old YouTuber from the United States. He’s one of the most famous content creators in the world, with over 463 million subscribers on YouTube alone at the time this article was written. He’s also hugely popular on TikTok, Instagram, and other platforms.

Jimmy first got noticed years ago with a simple video where he counted to 100,000 on camera. It went viral, and from there, everything changed.

Today, his videos are anything but simple. MrBeast is best known for creating over-the-top YouTube challenges, giving away enormous prizes (sometimes millions of dollars), and filming stunts that range from exciting to downright outrageous. One of his most viewed videos—“$456,000 Squid Game in Real Life!”—has been watched over 902 million times.

What Kind of Content Does MrBeast Make?

Most of his content is built around large challenges, unusual stunts, and surprising giveaways.
A typical video might involve dozens of people competing for a major prize—sometimes even a house, a car, or a piece of land. Other videos focus on acts of kindness, such as helping families in need or donating food to communities. Some are just for fun, featuring wild experiments or unexpected twists.

He runs multiple YouTube channels, each with a different focus:

MrBeast (main channel): Large-scale competitions, giveaways, and stunts.
Beast Philanthropy: Charity work and behind-the-scenes efforts to help people or causes.
MrBeast Gaming: Gaming content and challenges with his team.
Beast Reacts: Reaction videos to strange or interesting internet content.
MrBeast 2: Extra content and casual behind-the-scenes clips.
Beast Games (on Prime Video): A reality-style series featuring big-budget competitions aimed at older audiences.

Why Kids Love MrBeast

MrBeast’s videos are built for excitement. From the very first seconds, something big is happening: a wild challenge, a surprise twist, or someone winning a huge prize. For kids used to fast-paced scrolling, it’s easy to see why his content is so addictive.

He also gives away real things—cars, food, money, even houses. That generosity makes him feel like a hero to many young viewers.

But popularity doesn’t always mean suitability. According to Common Sense Media, MrBeast’s videos are best for kids aged 14 and up due to frequent product promotions, risky stunts, and the way money and fame are often front and center.

Younger kids may still enjoy his content, but it’s worth setting limits. The fast editing and constant energy can overstimulate. Some children may try to copy stunts, obsess over getting rich fast, or even develop unrealistic attachments to MrBeast himself.

He’s not just a YouTuber, he’s also a brand. From chocolate bars to mobile games, a lot of what seems like fun is also marketing. Kids might not always recognize when they’re being sold something.

Watch Out for MrBeast Scams

Because MrBeast is so popular and widely known for giving away huge prizes, his name and face are often misused by scammers to trick kids, teens, and even adults. These scams work because they tap into something familiar: excitement, trust, and the dream of winning something big. For children who regularly watch MrBeast’s real giveaways, a scam can feel completely believable.

Scams can show up in many forms, including:

Fake giveaway messages and YouTube ads. These appear in comments, emails, DMs, or pop-ups claiming your child has “won” a prize. They often ask for personal details or a payment to “claim” it.

Imposter accounts. Fraudsters create fake profiles pretending to be MrBeast on TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube. They may message followers directly, asking them to click a suspicious link or send money.

Survey scams. These impersonation scams lead to fake websites that ask kids to complete one to three “easy” deals to get a prize. These sites often steal personal data, trick users into subscriptions, or install malware.

Phishing emails or websites. Some scams copy MrBeast’s branding and promise free products, event tickets, or crypto giveaways, but lead to fake sites that collect login or payment details.

Deepfake TikTok ads or livestreams. A growing scam trend involves AI-generated videos where MrBeast appears to speak directly to viewers, urging them to click or sign up. These can be very convincing—especially for kids who trust his face and voice.

And it’s not just children who fall for MrBeast scams.

How to Spot a MrBeast Scam

Talk to your child about these simple rules:

MrBeast never asks anyone to pay to receive a prize.
He doesn’t send private messages to announce winners—not in DMs, texts, or emails.
Real giveaways only happen in public videos on his official, verified channels.
Set a clear rule at home: they should come to you before clicking any links or signing up on a website.

What Parents Can Do

Scammers use names like MrBeast because kids trust him, but a few honest conversations and the right tools can make a big difference.

1. Talk about scams in a simple way

Explain that not everything online is real. Show your child how fake giveaways, surveys, and impersonator accounts work—and why scammers target fans.

2. Create simple rules

If your child is ever asked to click a link, fill out a form, or claim a prize, they should check with you first.

3. Help them spot what’s real and what’s edited

YouTube videos are made to be exciting. Talk about how fast editing, big reactions, and bright visuals are used to hold attention and why that doesn’t mean everything is true.

4. Set healthy time limits

MrBeast content is fun and easy to binge. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 1–2 hours of screen time per day for school-age children. Try to balance viewing with offline play and rest.

5. Use built-in protection tools. A Bitdefender Family Plan can help you guide and protect your child and all your family members online. It includes: scam and phishing protection to block suspicious websites and links, screen time limits and content filters, digital monitoring and parental controls that work quietly in the background.

With a little support, your child can enjoy the best of the internet without falling for the worst of it.

Find out more about your family safety plan, here.

FAQs

Is MrBeast safe for kids to watch?

MrBeast’s videos are hugely popular with kids, but not all content is suitable for younger viewers. According to Common Sense Media, his main channel is best for children aged 14 and up due to risky stunts, constant product promotions, and the way money and fame are presented.

What is a MrBeast scam?

A MrBeast scam is a fake giveaway or impersonation that uses MrBeast’s name, face, or logo to trick people—especially kids and teens—into sharing personal information or sending money. These scams often appear as fake YouTube ads, DMs, emails, or TikTok videos claiming you’ve “won a prize.” Some use deepfake videos to look more convincing. Real giveaways are always public on his verified YouTube channels and never require payment or private messages.

How can I tell if a MrBeast giveaway is real or fake?

A real MrBeast giveaway will always be shown in a video on one of his verified YouTube channels. He never announces winners through DMs, emails, or texts, never asks for payment, and never directs fans to outside websites to claim prizes.

What should I do if my child clicked a fake MrBeast giveaway link?

If your child clicked a suspicious link, change any shared passwords and monitor your accounts for unusual activity. If they entered personal or financial information, report it to the platform, contact your bank if needed, and consider freezing any affected accounts.