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The SCARS Institute Magazine about Scam Victims-Survivors, Scams, Fraud & Cybercrime
Talking To Kids/Youth About Online Risk [VIDEO]
By National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) (U.S. Government) and SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
How can parents encourage their children/youth to use online technology safely and privately – a NIST Video – used with permission
NIST Researchers Explore Best Practices for Talking to Kids About Online Privacy
Today’s youth are digital natives. They’ve never known a world without the internet or online technology. It is crucial they develop the skills and resilience to safely navigate these digital environments from an early age. At NIST, scientists conducted a study to find out how much these digital natives and their parents know about online security and privacy.
How can parents encourage their children to use online technology safely? Recent research by scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) suggests that a good strategy is to talk to your kids directly about online privacy and security — from a young age through high school.
The research effort, which the NIST team members describe as an exploratory study, involved interviewing 40 parent/child pairs with kids between 3rd and 12th grades. The goal was to understand their knowledge about online privacy, security, and risky online behavior, and how the parents attempt to influence their kids’ online activities and knowledge about privacy and security.
The NIST team’s preliminary findings and suggested strategies include:
- It’s never too early to talk to kids. Start when they first begin using technology. Children as young as elementary school knew about security, privacy and online risks, and were interested in learning more about how to stay safe online.
- Talking to kids helps them better understand how to navigate the digital world. Many parents felt hesitant to talk about online privacy and security, often citing their own lack of knowledge. But kids whose parents talked with them about online privacy and security were more knowledgeable. Conversations do not need to be highly technical — parents can discuss online activities and how to make good choices.
- Appreciate that kids may see the digital world differently. The kids viewed online privacy and security as things they can control. They also felt that all risks are not the same, requiring an understanding of each situation. Parents, though, saw most online activities as very risky, resulting in them often telling their kids what not to do, instead of what to do. It may be more helpful to talk about behavior options and the potential consequences of each.
The team is presenting the findings in two papers: one at the Human-Computer Interaction International conference in July 2023, and the other at the Symposium on Usable Privacy and Security in August 2023.
Resources:
- Sign up for SCARS professional support & recovery groups, visit support.AgainstScams.org
- Find competent trauma counselors or therapists, visit counseling.AgainstScams.org
- Become a SCARS Member and get free counseling benefits, visit membership.AgainstScams.org
- Report each and every crime, learn how to at reporting.AgainstScams.org
- Learn more about Scams & Scammers at RomanceScamsNOW.com and ScamsNOW.com
- Self-Help Books for Scam Victims are at shop.AgainsstScams.org
- Donate to SCARS and help us help others at donate.AgainstScams.org
More:
- SCARS Scam Bingo (romancescamsnow.com)
- FBI Advice On Children’s Online Dangers (romancescamsnow.com)
- United Nations Decide That Children Have A Human Right To Be Online (romancescamsnow.com)
- What Really Are Vulnerabilities That Lead To Scams? (scamsnow.com)
- Olivia Williams et al. ‘They’re not risky’ vs ‘It can ruin your whole life’: How parent-child dyads differ in their understandings of online risk. Human-Computer Interaction International (HCII) conference, July 23-28, 2023.
- Olivia Williams et al. Youth understandings of online privacy and security: A dyadic study of children and their parents. 19th Symposium on Usable Privacy and Security, Aug. 6-8, 2023.
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Please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org – a SCARS Website for New Scam Victims & Sextortion Victims
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Some of our articles discuss various aspects of victims. This is both about better understanding victims (the science of victimology) and their behaviors and psychology. This helps us to educate victims/survivors about why these crimes happened and not to blame themselves, better develop recovery programs, and help victims avoid scams in the future. At times, this may sound like blaming the victim, but it does not blame scam victims; we are simply explaining the hows and whys of the experience victims have.
These articles, about the Psychology of Scams or Victim Psychology – meaning that all humans have psychological or cognitive characteristics in common that can either be exploited or work against us – help us all to understand the unique challenges victims face before, during, and after scams, fraud, or cybercrimes. These sometimes talk about some of the vulnerabilities the scammers exploit. Victims rarely have control of them or are even aware of them, until something like a scam happens, and then they can learn how their mind works and how to overcome these mechanisms.
Articles like these help victims and others understand these processes and how to help prevent them from being exploited again or to help them recover more easily by understanding their post-scam behaviors. Learn more about the Psychology of Scams at www.ScamPsychology.org
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All articles about psychology and the human brain on this website are for information & education only
The information provided in this and other SCARS articles are intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.
Note about Mindfulness: Mindfulness practices have the potential to create psychological distress for some individuals. Please consult a mental health professional or experienced meditation instructor for guidance should you encounter difficulties.
While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.
Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.
If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.
Also read our SCARS Institute Statement about Professional Care for Scam Victims – click here
If you are in crisis, feeling desperate, or in despair, please call 988 or your local crisis hotline.
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At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish. Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors’ experience. You can do Google searches, but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.
