Better Business Bureau offers online safety tips for families as new school year begins

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) – As the new school year begins, the Better Business Bureau is offering online safety tips for families to help protect children from scams and cyber threats.

With kids spending more time online for schoolwork and socializing, it’s essential for parents to teach them good online habits. According to the BBB’s 2024 Scam Tracker Risk Report, 9.7% of parents reported that their children under 18 had been targeted by scams, with nearly half of those scams originating online.

Teaching Kids Online Safety

To help kids develop good online habits, parents should:

– Talk to kids about safe online behavior: Discuss the importance of protecting personal information and being cautious when interacting with strangers online.
– Teach kids to share with care: Remind them that anything posted online can last a lifetime and may be seen by people they don’t know.
– Model good habits: Parents should demonstrate safe online behavior themselves, as kids often mimic their actions.

Common Online Scam Targets for Kids

Kids may encounter scams in various online spaces, including:

– Phishing links: Be cautious of links in junk emails or messages from strangers.
– Mobile apps: Some apps, including games, may collect and share personal information or target kids with ads.
– Free downloads: Websites offering free media may come with the risk of downloading viruses.
– Location sharing: Many apps share users’ locations by default, so it’s essential to review and adjust settings accordingly.