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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

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S By Shoxan Ali

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Easy Money Offers: How Teens Get Tricked Into Moving Scam Cash

High S By Shoxan Ali

Scammers message teens on social media, games or chat apps with offers of quick cash for "just using your bank account" or receiving and forwarding a payment. The money is often stolen, and the teen becomes the link between the criminals and their victims. This can lead to frozen accounts, police questions and trouble getting banking services later, even if the teen did not realise it was illegal. Offers that sound like simple side jobs, fast earnings or "easy commissions" are a major warning sign.

Solutions

Never let anyone use your bank account, payment app or card, even for a "fee" or "commission." Treat any job that needs no skills, pays fast and starts with a private message as suspicious. Do not accept money from strangers and send it on. Stop, keep the messages and tell a trusted adult. Block and report the sender on the platform, and report it to your bank if your account was involved. Talk with family about how legitimate jobs work: real employers do not ask you to move money through your personal account.

Gaming Account Takeovers: How Hackers Steal Your Profile and Items

High S By Shoxan Ali

Hackers target gaming accounts because skins, in-game currency and rare items can be resold, and a hijacked profile can be used to scam your friends. They often get in through reused passwords leaked from other sites, fake login pages, or "trade" and "support" messages that trick players into handing over codes. Once inside, they may change the email and password so the real owner is locked out.

Solutions

Use a unique, long password for every gaming account, and never reuse the one from your email. Turn on two-factor authentication for your game platform, console and email using an authenticator app where possible. Never share login details, verification codes or recovery links with anyone, even someone claiming to be support or a friend. Open game launchers and stores only from official apps or typed-in addresses, not links sent in chat or DMs. If you notice anything odd, change your password right away, sign out of all devices and tell a parent or trusted adult.

Free Skins and Fake Giveaways: The Mobile Game Scam Targeting Teens

Medium S By Shoxan Ali

Scammers post "free skins", game currency or gift card giveaways on social media, in game chats and in messages that look like they come from friends. To claim the prize, you are asked to log in on a fake page, enter a code, download an app or share personal details. The real goal is to steal your account, your payment details or your contacts, and sometimes to use your hacked account to trick your friends too.

Solutions

Treat any offer of free currency, skins or prizes as suspicious, especially if it pushes you to act fast. Only log in through the official game app or website, never through a link sent in a chat or comment. Turn on two-factor authentication for your game, email and social media accounts. Never share passwords, login codes or payment details, even with someone who seems to be a friend. Tell a parent, guardian or teacher if you clicked something, then change your password and report the scam to the platform.

Spotting Phishing Texts: Fake Messages That Land on Your Phone

High S By Shoxan Ali

Phishing texts (also called smishing) are SMS or chat messages that pretend to come from a delivery service, bank, game, social app or even a friend. They push you to tap a link, share a code or "verify" your account, which can hand attackers your passwords or money. Teens are often targeted because they use many apps and tend to act fast on messages. Checking texts together with a parent, guardian or friend makes it much easier to spot the warning signs.

Solutions

Stop and check for pressure: urgent threats, "act now" deadlines and surprise prizes are classic red flags. Never tap links or share codes from unexpected texts; open the official app or type the website address yourself. Show suspicious messages to a trusted adult or friend before replying, and talk through the warning signs together. Block and report the sender using your phone's or messaging app's report feature, then delete the message. If you already clicked or shared details, change your passwords right away, turn on two-factor authentication and tell an adult.