Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that many social media platforms are now no longer allowed to let Australians under 16 create or have an account.
Just as you and the family are adjusting to this new social-media-free-world, another challenge emerges. Scamwatch, led by the National Anti-Scam Centre, has identified several scams that opportunistic criminals may use to take advantage of any confusion a major change like this could cause.
Young people and their parents or carers are likely to be the primary targets, along with general social media users who may not yet understand the new requirements.
One of the scams involves fake messages or emails that appear to come from a social media platform or an age verification service. These could warn that an account will be locked unless the user supplies personal details to “prove” their age.
Scammers may also pretend to be from the government or police. They’ll claim you or your child have broken the new law and you must provide personal identification or pay a fine to avoid further trouble.
A more familiar trick, often called the “Hi Mum” scam, may also reappear in a new form, with scammers posing as teens aged 16 or older and asking parents to help them verify their account.
In these cases, the aim is to steal your personal information or your money… or both.
Make your teen aware they may get offers online that promise fake identification or access to age-verified accounts in exchange for payment. These are aimed directly at young people keen to stay connected despite the new restrictions.
To stay safe from these scams, take a moment before responding to anything that feels urgent or unusual. No legitimate platform will pressure you to act immediately or ask for payment connected to the new laws.
If you receive a message that seems suspicious, take the time to check whether the organisation or person contacting you is genuine. It can help to read up on how your teen’s social media platforms are communicating with users about age rules and verification so you know what real messages look like. You can usually find this information in the ‘Help’ or ‘Support’ sections.
Take the time to chat with your child about not clicking on links, or downloading any attachments or apps, unless you’ve checked they’re from a verified source.
If you believe you’ve paid money to a scammer or given them your personal information report it to WA ScamNet – scamnet.wa.gov.au or call 1300 30 40 54. Also report any financial loss to your bank immediately.
Staying informed and talking openly about online safety and scams as a family can make a significant difference in taking away power from scammers.
Parents and carers who would like more details about the changes can visit the eSafety Commissioner’s Social Media Age Restrictions Hub.
