Submitted by Global Scam Watch on

I was reading a very informative free ebook from The White Hatter about parenting in an online world and it inspired me to write this little article from the lens of scam awareness and prevention. While this is focussed on kids it also applies to adults

The line between being online and living in the physical world no longer exists. Researchers describe this merged reality as the onlife world, where digital spaces are not separate from daily life but embedded within it. For children, friendships, school, entertainment, and creativity all unfold through connected devices. That same environment also gives scammers and predators unprecedented access. Raising digitally resilient children starts at home, and it starts with adult behaviour. Scam awareness is not a children-only lesson, it is a family standard.

Artificial Intelligence and the New Face of Manipulation

As we move into 2026, Artificial Intelligence is transforming both learning and deception. AI powered tutors, assistants, and educational tools can be helpful, but they also gather extensive personal data and may reflect hidden biases. At the same time, scammers are deploying AI chatbots designed to convincingly imitate real people. Many children and adults alike cannot easily tell when they are speaking to software rather than a human.

The spread of deepfakes, including realistic but fabricated images, video, and audio, further erodes trust in what we see and hear. Kids and adults alike are routinely targeted by emotional clickbait and manipulative headlines. When parents share false stories or react without verifying information, they unintentionally teach children to respond emotionally instead of critically. Media literacy is a topic I was introduced to by Jonathan Stoddard of Media smart back in 1997, well before Social Media was a thing. Media Literacy must be practiced openly in the household so children learn questioning information is normal and necessary. Back when Jon was teaching kids about Media Literacy it was all about hidden messages in what was then modern media; the areas of concern and tools of manipulation have grown substantially since then and I am certain they will be much different in another 28 years

Technical Exploits Targeting Families

Modern scams rely heavily on technical tricks which are increasingly difficult to spot. Common threats include:

Remote Access Trojans (RATs) - Malware designed to allow attackers to remotely control a device, including activating microphones and webcams. These often arrive hidden inside pirated games, fake repair tools, or so called free utilities and browser plugins 

Ransomware - Also known as cryptoware, this malware locks files and demands payment for access. Many campaigns impersonate police or government agencies to pressure victims. When adults fall for authority based scams, children observe and internalize the behaviour.

Phishing - Deceptive messages on gaming platforms, email, and social media written to trick users into handing over passwords or personal information. Children tend to copy adult habits, including password reuse, ignoring privacy settings, or clicking links without checking the source.

Poor digital hygiene in adults creates weak points scammers exploit across the entire household.

Social Engineering and Rapid Sextortion

One of the most dangerous trends involves social engineering, where organized criminal groups groom minors online. These groups manipulate children into sharing intimate material, which is then used for sextortion.

What makes extortion related scams especially dangerous is the heartless speed and agility in which they are deployed. In many documented cases, escalation from first contact to extortion happens in less than thirty minutes. Warning signs can include sudden secrecy around devices, withdrawal from family interaction, or unexplained gifts or money. Digitally distracted parents often raise digitally distracted children, and distraction is exactly what predators rely on.

Separating Real Threats From Moral Panics

While not every viral warning reflects a real danger, parental fear, itself, is often exploited by hoaxes. The frequently cited “Momo Challenge” is a clear example. Despite widespread alarm, investigations found no credible evidence supporting the claims circulating online.

When adults react with panic instead of evidence, they create what researchers describe as an onlife juvenoia storm, where fear becomes more harmful than the supposed threat. Children who see adults panic about technology may be less willing to report real problems, fearing overreaction or punishment. In addition, online display of susceptibility to hoaxes is often used by scammers to ferret out their victims.

Building Safety Through Trust, Not Surveillance

Effective protection does not come from secret monitoring or invasive spyware. Aside from the malware risk of installing surveillance software, studies consistently show excessive surveillance damages trust and encourages children to hide their online lives. Real safety is built through open communication and shared expectations.

Model healthy digital behaviour - Children mirror adult habits, phones at the dinner table or constant scrolling send a clear message about priorities and encourages a digital disconnect with the real-world, it is also proven to reduce communication between loved ones.

Create tech free spaces - Keeping devices out of bedrooms at night and protecting family meals reduces private access points where scams thrive.

Normalize reporting problems - Children need to know they can speak up if something feels wrong, confusing, or uncomfortable, without fear of punishment.

Protect the family digital footprint - What is shared online is permanent, searchable, and exploitable. Adults should demonstrate responsible sharing by asking permission before posting images or details about their children. Aside from being a serious security risk, the sharing of kids pictures online should be a choice.

Learning to navigate the onlife world is like much like learning to swim. Safety does not come from building fences which will eventually be climbed, it comes from being present, showing where the risks are, and teaching judgment and confidence. When families face digital spaces together, scammers lose their greatest advantage. Communication and learning together is a family's best defense against the cyber-boogeyfolk of the online world, do not allow cyber-criminals to hide under their bed, explore the threat realities together.