Back to school online safety tips
FTC: Stress to children to avoid online free downloads such as games
(InvestigateTV) — The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recently issued an alert about internet safety for kids going back to school.
The report urged parents to remember the importance of protecting information online.
Melanie McGovern with the BBB advised against oversharing on social media.
“When it is your child’s first day of school and you’re all excited to post that picture on social media, if they’re holding up one of those little boards with information on them, make sure there is nothing on there that is personal or identifiable like a teacher name, a school or an age,” McGovern said.
She said it is easy to unwittingly give away personal information without realizing it – information that could be used maliciously by hackers.
Also, before buying any back-to-school items, be mindful of where school products are purchased.
“If you see one of those websites where that item, say it’s a computer or a phone, or something that the kid might need that’s electronic, and you see the price is way too good to be true, shipping immediately, and you know it’s sold out everywhere else, that’s a red flag,” McGovern warned.
Have identity theft conversations with kids going to college so they know what to look out for.
“These are kids who never knew a world without the internet or smartphone.,” McGovern explained. “So, we know from BBB research that 18 to 24 year olds get targeted a lot on line. Whether it be from an email saying it’s a college administrator in the financial aid office asking for payments or if it’s a fake scholarship opportunity or if it’s an apartment that seems too good to be true – have the conversation and say – hey look, this could happen if you get these emails. Make sure you’re reaching out directly to the financial aid office. Don’t reply. Don’t click links. Have those conversations with your students.”
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