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Youth Shield

Protect all teens from the misuse of electronic devices and the Internet

Guides, videos and alerts that help young people and their families stay safe on social media, games and every app they use.

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Security

Deepfake Voice Scams Explained: When a Familiar Voice Isn't Real

Deepfake voice scams use AI tools to imitate how a person sounds, so a call or voice message can seem to come from a friend, relative or teacher when it doesn't. Scammers often add urgency, claiming there is an emergency, a secret or a need for quick money, so the target panics instead of checking. Young people can be reached through calls, voice notes and messages on social apps, and may also be pressured to share one-time codes or account details. The best defence is simple: pause, hang up, and call the person back on a number you already know. A family code word, plus caution about posting clear voice clips publicly, makes these scams much harder to pull off.

S By Shoxan Ali
Security

Fake Login Pages: How One Tricked Click Can Hand Over a Social Account

Many stolen accounts start with a fake login page. A teen gets a message, often from a friend's hacked account, saying "Is this you in this video?" or "Log in to claim your free reward." The link opens a page that looks exactly like Instagram, TikTok, Discord, Roblox or Snapchat, but anything typed into it goes straight to the attacker. Parents can help by sitting down with their kids and showing how to check the web address before logging in, never typing a password after clicking a link in a chat, and opening the app or typing the site address manually instead. Turning on two-step verification and using a different password for every account limits the damage if someone does get fooled, and teens should know they can tell a parent right away without being punished.

S By Shoxan Ali
News

Fake Game Links and Chats: How Roblox and Minecraft Accounts Get Stolen

Many young gamers lose their accounts not because of advanced hacking, but because they click a fake link or trust a stranger in chat. Scammers pretend to offer free Robux, rare skins, game mods or "support" help, then send kids to a copycat login page that quietly collects their username and password. Once the thieves have the login, they can lock the owner out, take items, and try the same password on social media and email. Parents can help by sitting down with their children to explain that real games never ask for passwords in chat, turning on two-step verification, and using a different password for every account. If a child has already entered details on a suspicious page, the safest move is to change the password immediately, sign out of all devices, and tell a trusted adult without fear of punishment.

S By Shoxan Ali
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Security

book 4

S By Shoxan Ali

News & Alerts

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Steam Trade Scam Warning Signs: When a Quick Swap Is Really a Setup

Medium Youth Shield By Youth Shield

Steam trade scammers pretend to offer a fair swap, a big bonus or help from a "friend", then trick you into giving up items or account access. Common tricks include fake trade-offer links, copycat profiles of people you know, and pressure to act fast before the "deal" disappears. Some scammers also ask you to log in on a lookalike website, which can hand them your password and your inventory. Once items are traded away, they are often impossible to get back.

Solutions

Check the trade window carefully, and cancel it if the items or the person's name don't match what was agreed. Only log in to Steam through the official site or app, never through a link sent in chat. Be suspicious of anyone who rushes you, offers something far too good, or asks you to move the chat elsewhere. Turn on Steam Guard two-factor authentication and use a unique password for your account. If you think you've been scammed, change your password, sign out of all devices, and tell a trusted adult.

Xbox Family Settings: Check Chat, Spending and Friend Limits Early

Medium Youth Shield By Youth Shield

Gaming accounts can expose young players to strangers in voice and text chat, unwanted friend requests, risky links and surprise purchases. Scammers and bullies often use game chat to build trust, then push players to share personal details, click fake links or buy gift cards. If an account has weak privacy settings or no spending controls, one bad conversation or careless click can cause real harm. Xbox family settings let families set boundaries together before problems start.

Solutions

Use a child account in a Microsoft family group so parents or guardians can manage safety settings. Review who can message, chat by voice or send friend requests, and limit it to friends or approved contacts. Turn on purchase approval so spending needs permission, and avoid saving payment cards on the account. Protect the account with a strong unique password and two-factor authentication. Talk openly about what to do if someone asks for personal details, gift cards or private photos: stop replying, block, report and tell a trusted adult.

Public Wi-Fi Risks for Students: Free Internet Can Cost You Your Privacy

Medium Youth Shield By Youth Shield

Free Wi-Fi in cafés, libraries, schools, trains and malls is handy, but you often don't know who runs it or who else is connected. Attackers can set up fake networks with convincing names, or try to snoop on unprotected traffic and push you toward fake login pages. If you log in to email, social media or gaming accounts on a risky network, your passwords and personal details could be exposed.

Solutions

Confirm the exact network name with staff before connecting, and avoid networks that look like copies or have odd names. Use your phone's mobile data for banking, shopping and important account logins instead of public Wi-Fi. Turn off automatic Wi-Fi joining and file sharing, and forget the network when you leave. Turn on two-factor authentication so a stolen password alone isn't enough to get into your accounts. Only enter details on sites that use HTTPS, and never ignore browser security warnings or log in through pop-up pages that appear after connecting.

Fake Group Chat Invites: A Friendly Link That Can Lead to Account Theft

Medium Youth Shield By Youth Shield

Scammers send invites to "private" group chats, study groups, game squads or giveaway communities, often from a hacked friend's account or a stranger who seems friendly. The link may open a fake login page, ask you to scan a code, or push you to install something so the scammer can take over your account. Once inside, they can message your contacts and repeat the trick, which makes the invite look more trustworthy each time.

Solutions

Ask the person through another channel, like in person or by phone, whether they really sent the invite. Never enter your password after tapping a chat invite. Open the official app yourself and look for the invitation there. Do not scan codes or install files that a group chat asks you to use to "join" or "verify." Turn on two-factor authentication and check your account's logged-in devices if something seems off. If you clicked, change your password right away, log out of other devices, and tell a trusted adult.