What comes to mind when you think of someone getting scammed? A grandma on the phone with some jerk? If so, this will probably surprise you.

The total money lost by teens in online scams grew by nearly 2,500% between 2017 and 2022. Victims under the age of 20 lost a staggering $210 million in 2022 alone.

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Picture this: Your phone rings and it’s a familiar number. You answer and an unsettling voice tells you they have your kid. The only way to get your son or daughter back alive is to send money.

It gets worse. Your child gets on the phone and directly pleads with you for help. You see a picture of them in chains. You watch a video of them crying. Now you’re panicking. 

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OK, I need to talk to my Gen Z son, Ian, about this. And you should speak to anyone in your circle born between 1996 and 2010. 

The fine folks at the FBI’s crime division say teens have lost 2,500% more money to scams in the past five years. Compare that to an 805% increase for seniors. Still not great, but at least it’s not 2,500%.

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You’ve got a GPS tracker — and you’ve got a tracker — and you! From Apple AirTags to Tiles to Jiobit sensors, GPS trackers are everywhere. I put them in my cars, wallet, laptop bag and car keys — police are even putting them on people’s cars.

It’s really no surprise parents are using GPS watches and tags to monitor kids when they’re away. If your little tyke is off to a new school, you too may be wondering if it’s time for a tracker. 

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Back-to-school time means loading up on school supplies and taking your kiddo to get new shoes. You still have to do that — but now there’s more than ever to get prepped.

I know it’s a tricky topic, but certainly one you’ve thought about if you have a little one or even a teen at home. You need to consider your child’s safety. Here’s my advice to protect them in an emergency like a school shooting.

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When my son Ian was 3, I bought him a cellphone. It had three buttons: Call Mom, call Dad and call Grandma. He was young, but it helped us all feel better that he could reach us.

There may be situations where your child, partner or parent can’t make a phone call … or worse. They could have someone looking over their shoulder when they text. That’s when a secret emoji could save the day.

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In the not-so-distant future, you could walk in on a teddy bear reading a bedtime story to your child. Not just any story, a saga customized based on everything the toy knows about your child — their likes, dislikes and deepest secrets. All thanks to artificial intelligence (AI).

If this all sounds a little too “Black Mirror” to you, you’re not alone. I want to let you know that this holiday season, we’re bound to see a slew of AI-powered toys hitting the scene. This way, when the kids ask for these toys, you know it’s not all just fun and games.

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What started as a fun way to keep in touch with friends and family has devolved into a hotbed of fake news, scams, data breaches cyberbullying and little to no privacy.

Social media has come a long way from its roots, and most news is bad. But it’s one thing to put yourself out there and another to post information about your children. Social media on its own is harmful to children without your involvement. Don’t make it worse. Consider this your tech etiquette lesson of the day.

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My friend’s 15-year-old son gets tons of abusive comments from internet strangers. He’s never seen any of them — but his mom has. That’s because she uses some of the best parental control apps to protect her son from digital predators.

Over the years, his YouTube, Instagram and Twitch channels have attracted lots of attention — both good and bad. Sponsors want him to endorse their products, so he’s making money online. If your kids want to start their own online business, use this easy trick to set them up for success.

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It is challenging to keep track of the websites your kids visit and who they communicate with. Fortunately, there is help. For example, Facebook rolled out new privacy settings so you can see what your kids do.

Unfortunately, things can slip through the cracks. This became shockingly clear recently as an investigation found that the popular storytelling site Wattpad is rife with sexual predators.

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Many dangers lurk online for children. That’s why you must have an open line of communication with your kids and teach them the best safety practices. Tap or click here for five ways to protect your child online.

Unfortunately, online isn’t the only place we need to worry about. The real world is also scary. Fortunately, your kids probably have a smartphone that can help keep them safe. Some carriers offer protective services to those with family plans and kids on the line. There are plenty of ways to track your child’s iPhone or Android.

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When my son went to preschool at age four, I taught him to use a cellphone for kids that I tossed in his backpack. It had no apps and four numbers: Mom, Dad, Grandma, and 911. This time was way before school shootings were in the headlines.

Many parents are shocked when they discover what their child is doing on their phones, tablets, or computers. Don’t be that parent. Get proactive. Much like you have the sex talk with your kids, have the digital life talk. Tap or click for my free tech contract parents and kids can use to set boundaries.

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A plumber visit can cost anywhere from $175 to $450. If you don’t have that money lying around, you should have a chat with your TikTok-loving grandkids before they come to visit. A viral TikTok pipe cleaning trend could destroy your home’s sewage disposal system.

It’s all part of a viral trend called “product overload.” Users film themselves filling toilets, baths and sinks with a surplus of astringent cleaners. Not only is it wasteful, but it can also be dangerous.

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The tragic mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas highlights an issue we’ve come across before and it doesn’t seem to go away: Social media is shirking its responsibility in mass shootings and other tragedies. Social media has to make changes, and you and I can force them to do it.

We now know that the Texas school shooter, Salvador Ramos, was very active on social media before going on a rampage, killing at least 19 students and two teachers. Stories were circulating that the posts were public. Texas Governor Greg Abbott held a press conference Wednesday regarding the shooting, and he brought up the shooter’s Facebook activity.

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Scammers are everywhere, and they have no compassion for who they target or the damage it causes. Their evil behavior was again thrust into the limelight as a teen committed suicide after falling victim to a scam.

California resident Ryan Last struck up an online conversation with someone he believed to be a girl. The back-and-forth text messages continued until past midnight on a weekday. By early morning, he had taken his own life.

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You can view our digitally-connected world as a blessing and curse. While we have more access to more information than ever before, not everything we come across is helpful or good for us. In fact, it can be dangerous.

Social media started as a platform to catch up with friends and family but it has also become just another way for impressionable young people to hurt themselves. Viral challenges can be harmless, but one deadly trend is making a comeback and parents should know about it. Tap or click here for help with discussing these disturbing challenges with your kids.

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Establishing healthy tech habits with your kids early on can do you a world of good in the long run. Instead of handing your toddlers advanced iPhones, gradually introduce them to more advanced gadgets. Kid-friendly smartwatches and phones teach kids digital independence while giving you the freedom to make sure they’re safe.

Another way to protect your kids is by using Kim’s secrets to success. Tap or click here for five ways to protect your child online. These general guidelines can help you weather any storm your kid’s internet surfing may cause — and they’re sure to stumble across some issues, given the nature of the internet.

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There is an old saying that if you want to know how something works, give it to a child, and they’ll figure it out. Sometimes, something odd happens with technology, like when Alexa told a child to put a penny on exposed electrical prongs.

Kids seem to have an incredible knack for figuring out the intricacies of gadgets and technology. And that’s not always a good thing. Sometimes they find ways to outsmart things that are good for them, like parental controls.

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Smart assistants are constantly evolving to offer more features and uses. They can help you keep a schedule, set the mood for movie night, remind you to pick up the kids or even watch out for intruders.

Some features recently added to Amazon Echo devices include sound detection for running water and appliances, along with occupancy routines. As useful as they can be, smart assistants like Alexa can also be intrusive to your privacy.

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Some tech companies take a hard stance on protecting children from online dangers. But for the most part, it’s up to parents to protect their kids. Tap or click here for five ways to protect your child online.

Apple’s iOS 15.2 is almost ready for full release. It adds a handful of functions, but one, in particular, has garnered equal praise and dissatisfaction.

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