By newsfirstusa 
A 14-year-old dedicated suicide upcoming following the recommendation of an AI chatbot. Some other population is suing the similar one — Personality AI — upcoming it advised an autistic 14-year-old to shoot his folks. It additionally uncovered an 11-year-old to sexual content material.
Those tales are obese reminders that younger public are particularly prone on the internet, however AI isn’t the one factor focused on them.
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The effective other folks on the FBI’s crime category say teenagers misplaced 2,500% more cash to scams over a up to date five-year stretch. Examine that to an 805% build up for seniors, which remains to be no longer splendid, however a minimum of it’s no longer 2,500%.
So, why teenagers? As a result of thieves have extra techniques than ever to focus on them. Communicate to someone on your circle born between 1996 and 2010 about this. It’s a bulky do business in.
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Essentially the most common scams and methods
Underneath the affect: Say a kiddo on your population idolizes a web based influencer. That particular person is very easy to impersonate. All a fraudster has to do is about up a phony account that appears actual, run a competition and trick “winners” into turning in their private main points (or extra) to assert their (nonexistent) prizes. Performed and completed.
This report picture presentations any individual checking his smartphone in Glenview, Unwell. (AP Photograph/Nam Y. Huh, Document)
Professional tip: Stick with “official” influencer accounts with considerable follower counts. A smaller account is sort of at all times a scammer, no longer some invisible one. And not give monetary data or cash to any individual by means of DM.
‘Hey there, handsome’: This can be a vintage for a reason why. Scammers grasp photos of a beautiful teenager or 20-something and play games virtual Casanovas. All too quickly, they profess their love — after comes the request for cash, presents or data.
Professional tip: Attempt a opposite picture seek to look if the ones pics pop up somewhere else on-line. If the individual refuses to video name or meet you in particular person, it’s a evil signal.
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‘Send me a photo’: That is the damaging intersection of smartphones, sexting and scammers. Any person stocks horny photos and asks for some in go back. As quickly because the sufferer sends a pic or video, the whole thing adjustments.
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The individual at the alternative finish is now blackmailing them. Pay up or they’ll percentage the content material with everybody the sufferer is aware of. Take into consideration how frightening that might be at any life, however particularly as a youngster. I spoke to a family that lost their son to suicide upcoming this came about to him. One of these tragic tale, and so they’re no longer unwanted; that is approach too regular.
Professional tip: Communicate in your youngsters about sending photos to others on-line. Urge them to by no means percentage the rest specific, even with any individual they know in particular person and accept as true with. It’s simply no longer virtue it.
‘You won!’ … No longer”: This one targets younger teens. A thief tricks them into revealing credit card details or downloading malware under the guise of rewards in their favorite game.
Social media apps are pictured on a smartphone. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
Pro tip: This one’s easy. Only ever buy apps or make in-app purchases through an official app store — no trades and nothing “non-public.”
So, what can you do?
The internet is an incredible resource for learning, creativity and fun, but let’s not sugarcoat it: there are dangers out there. Scammers and predators have become experts at manipulation, and kids can easily fall victim. The most important thing you can do as a parent? Foster open, honest communication.
When my son was younger, I shared age-appropriate stories about what he might encounter online. We talked about the risks in a way he could understand. He knew that if anything or anyone made him feel uncomfortable, he should come to me immediately, no questions asked.
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That’s the foundation: trust. Kids need to know that they won’t get in trouble for being fooled. Today’s online predators are sneaky, and scammers know exactly how to win a child’s trust. If your child is targeted, it’s never their fault.
Here’s my free tech safety contract you both can sign if you’re not sure where to start the conversation around tech limits.
Action plan for parents
Remember when you had a fake driver’s license or told a little white lie to get what you wanted? Kids have ways around parental controls and are smart enough to spin the birth year wheel when signing up to get around age restrictions.
A mother and teenage daughter are seen using a smartphone. (iStock)
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Set clear ground rules for screen time and device use, and keep the conversation going as they grow. A few simple steps to take:
- Have the passcode to their phone: You need access to everything at any time. Even if you don’t pop in much, they need to know you can.
- Set limits: Use built-in app controls to monitor their time spent in the apps and tools like content filters to limit their exposure to inappropriate material.
- “Good friend” or “Apply” them: Stay connected on social media to see their circle and interactions. Without open dialogue, they’ll find ways around you.
- Know the special settings: On Snapchat, Instagram and YouTube, you can connect to your child’s account.
The best protection is being your child’s go-to resource for help and guidance. Let your kids know you’re there, ready to listen, no matter what. That’s the real safety net.
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