How to Protect Your Child from Scammers in Telegram and WhatsApp

Why children are targeted by scammers

Scammers increasingly target children because it is easier to build trust with them. A child is more likely to believe someone, want to help a friend, and may not fully understand the consequences of their actions.

Main reasons children are at risk:

• Trustfulness and a desire to help;
• Lack of experience communicating with strangers online;
• Fear of telling parents about a problem;
• Quick reactions to urgent requests and “emergency” messages.

In most cases, scammers rely on psychology rather than technical hacking. Their goal is to make the child voluntarily share a code, money, or personal information.

Most common scam schemes

1. “This is my new number”

A scammer copies a friend’s or classmate’s photo and writes: “Hi, this is my new number.” After some time, they ask for money, a code, or help.

2. Urgent money requests

Messages like: “I really need help urgently, my parents aren’t answering” or “I’ll pay you back later.” Pressure and urgency are key signs of fraud.

3. Fake gifts and bonuses

“You won a prize,” “Get a game bonus,” or “Download for free via this link.” These messages lead to phishing websites that steal personal data.

4. Messages pretending to be from school

Scammers may pose as teachers or school administrators and ask to confirm a phone number, send a code, or make a payment.

Real-life example

A child received a message from a “classmate” asking for an SMS code because they “couldn’t log into their account.” After the code was sent, scammers used it to hack the parent’s account.

Signs a scammer is messaging your child

• Messages from an unknown number;
• Requests to send a code or money;
• Phrases like “urgent” or “don’t tell anyone”;
• Links to unfamiliar websites;
• Attempts to create fear, pressure, or sympathy.

If your child becomes nervous, hides their screen, or suddenly asks for money, it’s a reason to calmly talk and check the situation.

How to explain safety rules to your child

Restrictions work worse than clear rules. It’s important to talk calmly and regularly, not only after a problem occurs.

Agree on these rules:

• Never share SMS verification codes;
• Do not share passwords or personal information;
• Never send money based on a messenger request;
• Do not click unknown links;
• If a stranger writes — show the message to parents immediately.

The most important rule: the child will not be punished for a mistake. When there is trust, children are more likely to share suspicious situations.

Telegram privacy settings for children

Check the Privacy section together:

• Phone number — Nobody
• Who can message — My Contacts
• Who can add to groups — My Contacts
• Disable phone number search
• Review active sessions/devices

Also explain that they should not download files or open links from unknown users.

WhatsApp privacy settings for children

Open: Settings → Privacy.

• Profile photo — My Contacts
• Status — My Contacts
• Groups — My Contacts
• Enable two-step verification

Explain that the verification code is the key to the account and must never be shared.

What to do if your child has already responded to a scammer

• Immediately change passwords;
• Log out of all devices;
• Enable two-factor authentication;
• Block the suspicious contact;
• Warn contacts about a possible account compromise;
• Check bank activity if any financial data was shared.

Most importantly, do not blame the child. Your support matters more than any mistake.

How to build long-term safety in messengers

• Discuss online safety regularly;
• Set clear rules for communicating with strangers;
• Periodically review privacy settings;
• Explain that money, codes, and personal data must always go through parents;
• Be supportive, not controlling.

Additional tools for parents

Sometimes conversations alone are not enough, especially if a child активно uses messengers and social networks. In such cases, parental control apps can help. They allow parents to monitor new contacts, detect suspicious activity, and respond to potential risks in time.

For example, similar features are available in parental control services like CyberNanny. This is not a replacement for trust and communication, but an additional tool that helps parents feel more confident about their child’s digital life.