<rss version="2.0"
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    <channel><title>Consumer Insights</title><description>News, views and insights from the Bitdefender experts</description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/hotforsecurity/</link><image><url>https://download.bitdefender.com/resources/images/favicon/favicon-32x32.png</url><title>Consumer Insights</title><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/hotforsecurity/</link></image><generator>Bitdefender Blog</generator><lastBuildDate>Tue, 03 Nov 2026 15:18:11 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.bitdefender.com/nuxt/api/en-au/rss/hotforsecurity/family/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><ttl>1800</ttl><item><title>How kids bypass parental controls on Android and what parents can do - 2027</title><description><![CDATA[Children can bypass some Android parental controls by switching user profiles, moving between devices, or using apps their parents left unrestricted.]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/hotforsecurity/bypass-parental-controls-android-2027</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ae4b6148beeea965802b73e</guid><category><![CDATA[Family Safety]]></category><dc:creator>Silviu STAHIE</dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 30 Oct 2026 15:36:51 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/2026/10/Around-the-Screen-Time-Barrier.png" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[Children can bypass some Android parental controls by switching user profiles, moving between devices, or using apps their parents left unrestricted.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Nearly Half of French-Speaking Belgian Teens Would Hide a Scam From Their Parents</title><description><![CDATA[Some 37% of Belgian teenagers aged 12 to 17 said they wouldn’t dare tell their parents if they fell victim to an online scam, according to a recent survey commissioned by payment service Bancontact. Among French-speaking teens, that figure rises to 45%.


Key takeaways

 * In Belgium, 45% of French-speaking teens say they wouldn’t tell their parents if they were scammed online
 * Scam awareness isn’t just about spotting suspicious links—it’s also about feeling safe enough to ask someone you trus]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/hotforsecurity/teens-in-belgium-hide-scams-from-parentss</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ae47eaa8beeea965802b71e</guid><category><![CDATA[Family Safety]]></category><dc:creator>Alina BÎZGĂ</dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 30 Oct 2026 12:31:40 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/2026/10/Half-of-French-Speaking-Belgian-Teens-Would-Hide-a-Scam-From-Their-Parents.png" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[Some 37% of Belgian teenagers aged 12 to 17 said they wouldn’t dare tell their parents if they fell victim to an online scam, according to a recent survey commissioned by payment service Bancontact. Among French-speaking teens, that figure rises to 45%.


Key takeaways

 * In Belgium, 45% of French-speaking teens say they wouldn’t tell their parents if they were scammed online
 * Scam awareness isn’t just about spotting suspicious links—it’s also about feeling safe enough to ask someone you trus]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Your teen's first payment app: 6 scams to watch out for</title><description><![CDATA[Your teenager wants to split a restaurant bill with friends, pay someone back for concert tickets, or buy something from a seller on social media. Having their own payment app, such as Venmo or Cash App, makes all of this easier and gives them a little more independence with money.

But before they start sending and receiving payments, there’s something worth talking about: scams.

Here are some of the most common payment app scams your teen should know about, and what you can do to help them av]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/hotforsecurity/teen-payment-app-scams</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ae327328beeea965802b56a</guid><category><![CDATA[Family Safety]]></category><category><![CDATA[Scam]]></category><dc:creator>Cristina POPOV</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 29 Oct 2026 11:10:50 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/2026/10/Your-teen-s-first-payment-app_-6-scams-to-watch-out-for.png" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[Your teenager wants to split a restaurant bill with friends, pay someone back for concert tickets, or buy something from a seller on social media. Having their own payment app, such as Venmo or Cash App, makes all of this easier and gives them a little more independence with money.

But before they start sending and receiving payments, there’s something worth talking about: scams.

Here are some of the most common payment app scams your teen should know about, and what you can do to help them av]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Your Cybersecurity Checklist for October</title><description><![CDATA[As Cybersecurity Awareness Month comes to a close, it’s a good time for a simple annual digital checkup. You don’t need to do it all in one evening. Pick one or two things, involve the people in your household, and come back to the rest when you can.


Key takeaways

 * A quick digital checkup can help you spot weak passwords, old apps, and forgotten accounts before they become a problem.
 * The best protection is often simple: updates, unique passwords, two-factor authentication and a moment to]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/hotforsecurity/cybersecurity-checklist-for-october</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ae219e98beeea965802b548</guid><category><![CDATA[Cybersecurity Awareness Month]]></category><category><![CDATA[Family Safety]]></category><dc:creator>Alina BÎZGĂ</dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 28 Oct 2026 15:57:37 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/2026/10/Your-Cybersecurity-Checklist-for-October.png" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[As Cybersecurity Awareness Month comes to a close, it’s a good time for a simple annual digital checkup. You don’t need to do it all in one evening. Pick one or two things, involve the people in your household, and come back to the rest when you can.


Key takeaways

 * A quick digital checkup can help you spot weak passwords, old apps, and forgotten accounts before they become a problem.
 * The best protection is often simple: updates, unique passwords, two-factor authentication and a moment to]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>What parents need to know about the ‘Scam With Your Friends’ Video Game</title><description><![CDATA[A game called Scam With Your Friends is attracting plenty of attention on Steam. Its premise is exactly what the title suggests: players run a fictional scam call center, using manipulation and increasingly absurd schemes to persuade AI-powered callers to hand over money or personal information.

It’s intended as dark comedy. But for parents, it also raises a fair question: when a game makes deception the challenge, what should children understand about the difference between a fictional scenari]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/hotforsecurity/what-parents-need-to-know-about-the-scam-with-your-friends-video-game</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ae0bcc88beeea965802b325</guid><category><![CDATA[Family Safety]]></category><dc:creator>Alina BÎZGĂ</dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 27 Oct 2026 15:09:33 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/2026/10/What-parents-need-to-know-about-the--Scam-With-Your-Friends--Video-Game.png" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[A game called Scam With Your Friends is attracting plenty of attention on Steam. Its premise is exactly what the title suggests: players run a fictional scam call center, using manipulation and increasingly absurd schemes to persuade AI-powered callers to hand over money or personal information.

It’s intended as dark comedy. But for parents, it also raises a fair question: when a game makes deception the challenge, what should children understand about the difference between a fictional scenari]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Halloween party safety: 5 digital rules to discuss with your teen</title><description><![CDATA[Halloween parties are a big deal for teenagers. As a parent, you're likely thinking about where the party is, who's going, whether there will be adults around and how your teen will get home. But there's another conversation worth having before they leave: what they'll be sharing online.

From posting photos of friends to sharing their location or joining party group chats, a few small decisions can affect their own privacy and someone else's.

Here are five digital safety rules to talk about be]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/hotforsecurity/halloween-party-digital-safety-rules-teens</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ad8ce8a8beeea965802b02f</guid><category><![CDATA[Family Safety]]></category><dc:creator>Cristina POPOV</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 2026 17:50:00 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/2026/10/Halloween-party-safety.png" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[Halloween parties are a big deal for teenagers. As a parent, you're likely thinking about where the party is, who's going, whether there will be adults around and how your teen will get home. But there's another conversation worth having before they leave: what they'll be sharing online.

From posting photos of friends to sharing their location or joining party group chats, a few small decisions can affect their own privacy and someone else's.

Here are five digital safety rules to talk about be]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>What parents should know about the Cat in the Hat trend</title><description><![CDATA[The Cat in the Hat trend uses creepy, often AI-generated images and videos to place the familiar character in real-life locations. Some posts have gone further, using real schools, towns and even children's names.

What may start as a joke can quickly raise questions about privacy, location sharing and how much information kids reveal about themselves and each other online.


Key takeaways:

 * The Cat in the Hat trend uses creepy, often AI-generated or edited images that make it look as if the ]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/hotforsecurity/cat-in-the-hat-trend-kids-online-safety</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ad8c9518beeea965802afcb</guid><category><![CDATA[Family Safety]]></category><dc:creator>Cristina POPOV</dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2026 14:37:28 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/2026/10/What-parents-should-know-about-the-Cat-in-the-Hat-trend.png" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[The Cat in the Hat trend uses creepy, often AI-generated images and videos to place the familiar character in real-life locations. Some posts have gone further, using real schools, towns and even children's names.

What may start as a joke can quickly raise questions about privacy, location sharing and how much information kids reveal about themselves and each other online.


Key takeaways:

 * The Cat in the Hat trend uses creepy, often AI-generated or edited images that make it look as if the ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Parents, it’s time to look beyond screen time</title><description><![CDATA[For years, one of the things parents have watched most closely has been screen time. It's easy to measure and set limits around. But screen time only tells us how long a child spent in front of a screen, not what happened while they were there. In other words, two children can spend exactly two hours online and have completely different experiences.

That's why the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is encouraging parents to look beyond screen time and consider the much bigger digital ecosyste]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/hotforsecurity/screen-time-child-digital-ecosystem</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ad8cb728beeea965802affb</guid><category><![CDATA[Family Safety]]></category><dc:creator>Cristina POPOV</dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2026 14:35:15 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/2026/10/Parents--it-s-time-to-look-beyond-screen-time.png" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[For years, one of the things parents have watched most closely has been screen time. It's easy to measure and set limits around. But screen time only tells us how long a child spent in front of a screen, not what happened while they were there. In other words, two children can spend exactly two hours online and have completely different experiences.

That's why the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is encouraging parents to look beyond screen time and consider the much bigger digital ecosyste]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Social media starts at 13. Many parents don’t know the rule</title><description><![CDATA[Some parents don’t know the minimum age for opening a social media account, even as governments move to impose stricter limits]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/hotforsecurity/social-media-13-parents</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ad21b108beeea965802ad5c</guid><category><![CDATA[Family Safety]]></category><dc:creator>Silviu STAHIE</dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 16 Oct 2026 12:44:21 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/2026/10/creativecanvasdesign-smartphone-10225902_1920.png" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[Some parents don’t know the minimum age for opening a social media account, even as governments move to impose stricter limits]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>The TikTok bathroom swearing trend: Why kids swear and how parents should respond</title><description><![CDATA[There’s another TikTok trend making the rounds called the bathroom swearing trend, where parents send their children into the bathroom, give them permission to swear freely and film their reactions.

Rather than deciding whether parents should or shouldn’t do it, we wanted to look at what these videos bring to the surface: Why are kids so fascinated by swear words in the first place, and what should you actually do when your child starts using them?

We asked clinical psychologist and CBT psycho]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/hotforsecurity/tiktok-bathroom-swearing-trend</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ac64ec28beeea965802a9b3</guid><category><![CDATA[Family Safety]]></category><dc:creator>Cristina POPOV</dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 07 Oct 2026 14:33:54 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/2026/10/The-TikTok-bathroom-swearing-trend.png" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[There’s another TikTok trend making the rounds called the bathroom swearing trend, where parents send their children into the bathroom, give them permission to swear freely and film their reactions.

Rather than deciding whether parents should or shouldn’t do it, we wanted to look at what these videos bring to the surface: Why are kids so fascinated by swear words in the first place, and what should you actually do when your child starts using them?

We asked clinical psychologist and CBT psycho]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>How cult-like online groups target children through gaming</title><description><![CDATA[A recent ABC investigation highlights a troubling form of online exploitation affecting Australian children through coercive, cult-like networks that use games, social platforms and messaging apps.

These networks can use friendship, harassment, threats and blackmail to gain control over a child. In some cases, victims are pressured into creating sexual material, isolating themselves from the people who care about them, or harming themselves.

This risk isn’t limited to children in Australia. Th]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/hotforsecurity/cult-like-online-harassment-targeting-children</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ac372ed8beeea965802a66e</guid><category><![CDATA[Family Safety]]></category><dc:creator>Alina BÎZGĂ</dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 05 Oct 2026 10:56:41 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/2026/10/How-cult-like-online-groups-target-children-through-gaming.png" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[A recent ABC investigation highlights a troubling form of online exploitation affecting Australian children through coercive, cult-like networks that use games, social platforms and messaging apps.

These networks can use friendship, harassment, threats and blackmail to gain control over a child. In some cases, victims are pressured into creating sexual material, isolating themselves from the people who care about them, or harming themselves.

This risk isn’t limited to children in Australia. Th]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>What is fidget trading? Online scams and safety tips for parents</title><description><![CDATA[Fidget trading may happen on the playground, but like many kids' trends, much of the excitement around it is being fueled online. Kids watch trading videos, hunt for rare toys, compare collections and may look for places to buy, sell or swap them online. That's where a harmless schoolyard game can introduce some less obvious digital risks.

At the same time, for parents, fidget trading can be a useful opportunity to talk about scams, privacy and why online trades need different rules.


Key take]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/hotforsecurity/fidget-trading-online-scams-safety</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6abf9fd98beeea965802a5d7</guid><category><![CDATA[Family Safety]]></category><category><![CDATA[Scam]]></category><dc:creator>Cristina POPOV</dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 05 Oct 2026 09:49:55 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/2026/10/fidget-trading-scams.png" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[Fidget trading may happen on the playground, but like many kids' trends, much of the excitement around it is being fueled online. Kids watch trading videos, hunt for rare toys, compare collections and may look for places to buy, sell or swap them online. That's where a harmless schoolyard game can introduce some less obvious digital risks.

At the same time, for parents, fidget trading can be a useful opportunity to talk about scams, privacy and why online trades need different rules.


Key take]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Should couples share passwords? Trust, control and security risks</title><description><![CDATA[Sharing passwords with someone you love can feel completely normal. Couples may know each other's phone PINs, share passwords for household accounts, or even have access to each other's email or social media. It can be practical, but it can also feel like a sign of trust: We have nothing to hide from each other.

But sharing passwords raises two very different questions. Does giving someone access to your digital life make a relationship more transparent and trusting? And even when you trust tha]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/hotforsecurity/sharing-passwords-with-family</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6abf9e528beeea965802a5a7</guid><category><![CDATA[Family Safety]]></category><category><![CDATA[Digital Privacy]]></category><dc:creator>Cristina POPOV</dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 05 Oct 2026 09:49:43 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/2026/10/sharing-passwords-with-family.png" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[Sharing passwords with someone you love can feel completely normal. Couples may know each other's phone PINs, share passwords for household accounts, or even have access to each other's email or social media. It can be practical, but it can also feel like a sign of trust: We have nothing to hide from each other.

But sharing passwords raises two very different questions. Does giving someone access to your digital life make a relationship more transparent and trusting? And even when you trust tha]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Child Identity Theft: How It Occurs and How to Protect Your Child</title><description><![CDATA[Child identity theft can stay hidden for years. Because a child cannot apply for credit, the fraud tends to surface only when they reach adulthood and apply for a first student loan, credit card, or apartment, then find accounts already opened in their name.

The Federal Trade Commission reported that child identity theft rose 40% between 2021 and 2024, and the Identity Theft Resource Center estimates that around one in 50 children is affected each year. Javelin's 2024 Child and Family Cybersecu]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/hotforsecurity/child-identity-theft</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6abf7a648beeea965802a4c5</guid><category><![CDATA[Family Safety]]></category><dc:creator>Bitdefender</dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 02 Oct 2026 10:20:33 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/2026/10/Child-identity-theft.png" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[Child identity theft can stay hidden for years. Because a child cannot apply for credit, the fraud tends to surface only when they reach adulthood and apply for a first student loan, credit card, or apartment, then find accounts already opened in their name.

The Federal Trade Commission reported that child identity theft rose 40% between 2021 and 2024, and the Identity Theft Resource Center estimates that around one in 50 children is affected each year. Javelin's 2024 Child and Family Cybersecu]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Cybersecurity Awareness Month Starts With Protecting Older Adults</title><description><![CDATA[I can’t believe it’s already October. The start of this month means we are kicking off Cybersecurity Awareness Month—a time to slow down, look at the risks we face online, and talk about the small things that can help protect us and the people we love.

But Oct. 1 also marks the International Day of Older Persons, a meaningful reminder that online safety is not only for younger generations.


Key takeaways

 * Older adults are active online, which means they can encounter scams through texts, em]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/hotforsecurity/protect-older-adults-cybersecurity-awareness-month</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6abe4ad88beeea965802a458</guid><category><![CDATA[Cybersecurity Awareness Month]]></category><category><![CDATA[Family Safety]]></category><dc:creator>Alina BÎZGĂ</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2026 12:29:59 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/2026/10/Cybersecurity-Awareness-Month-Starts-With-Protecting-Older-Adults.png" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[I can’t believe it’s already October. The start of this month means we are kicking off Cybersecurity Awareness Month—a time to slow down, look at the risks we face online, and talk about the small things that can help protect us and the people we love.

But Oct. 1 also marks the International Day of Older Persons, a meaningful reminder that online safety is not only for younger generations.


Key takeaways

 * Older adults are active online, which means they can encounter scams through texts, em]]></content:encoded></item></channel>
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