Scams on social media: what parents need to know

Scams on social media are exploding every day. WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, and Snapchat are now hunting grounds for fraudsters who target young people directly. In France, Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr recorded more than 280,000 requests for assistance in 2023.

In other words, the problem is massive, not marginal. Children don’t always know how to react to what they see online. Out of curiosity or trust, they may click, respond… and find themselves trapped. This is precisely what makes them a prime target.

Some parents choose to install a monitoring tool such as Eyezy to track their children’s activity and react quickly in case of danger. But before thinking about tools, let’s first look at why these scams are a real danger.

Understanding the risks for children

Children do not have the same reflexes as adults when faced with an online request. On social media, a simple click or a hasty response can be enough to put them at risk. Here are some common risks:

• Financial loss: this could be the promise of a gift, a subscription, or an investment in exchange for a payment that disappears immediately.
• Counterfeit products: sneakers or gaming subscriptions that never arrive.
• Data leaks: a first name, an address, the name of the school—it may seem harmless. However, these details are enough to create fake profiles.
• Harassment or blackmail: a photo sent lightly can be taken and used to intimidate or manipulate.

These threats don’t just affect your wallet. They leave scars: loss of confidence, shame, social withdrawal. It’s crucial to talk to young people about this: prevention is better than cure.

Why are children vulnerable to online scams?

When it comes to online scams, children are naturally the most vulnerable. Here are the main reasons:

• They lack the experience to spot an offer that is too good to be true.
• They react quickly without taking the time to check.
• They have little perspective on what they see online.
• They seek recognition from a group or influencer.

This combination makes them easy to approach and difficult to protect without guidance.

Common social media scams that parents should be aware of

Knowing the most common scenarios helps you anticipate them. Here are the main scams on social media:

• Fake investments on Telegram or WhatsApp: private groups invite young people to invest in cryptocurrency or sports betting. They are promised quick and easy profits. They are promised quick and easy profits, but in reality, these are pyramid schemes where no profit is possible.
• Fraudulent sellers and subscriptions: you will also find accounts offering unbeatable deals: branded sneakers, game consoles, or Netflix subscriptions at bargain prices. Once payment has been made, the scammer disappears.
• Malicious links or dangerous communities: a link with text such as “watch this video” or “click for your gift” attracts curiosity. Scammers use this to insert malicious links. 
• Identity theft and fake profiles: This is the most insidious scam. Someone creates a profile that imitates a classmate or a well-known influencer. The child believes they are chatting with someone they trust… until they share personal information or, worse, send money.

All these methods change the setting, but follow the same logic: exploiting young people’s trust to extract money and data.

How does Eyezy help protect children?

Faced with these threats, some parents choose to install a monitoring tool or any app to see other phone screen. Eyezy is currently the most widely used app in this field.

It works in stealth mode, without icons or notifications, and allows you to discreetly monitor a child’s digital activities. Its main features include:

• Monitoring messaging apps (WhatsApp, Telegram, Messenger, Snapchat, etc.)
• Access to activities (messages or chats) on social media
• Tracking of shared photos and videos.
• Viewing of contact lists and call logs
• Real-time GPS location and travel history.
• Geofencing with alerts if the child enters or leaves a defined area.
• Commonly used apps.

After a quick installation, you can then log in to your dashboard from your phone to see everything your child is doing with their cell phone in real time, including how they are sharing their location. The app offers discreet monitoring without the child being able to detect it.

Conclusion

Scams on social media are on the rise and directly target young people. Parents need to stay vigilant, explain the dangers to their children, and use appropriate tools.

With Eyezy, it is possible to spot warning signs, intervene quickly, and reduce risks. Protect your child today by monitoring their online activities with the Eyezy app.