It finally happened—your child clicked on a sketchy link. Maybe it promised free Robux, a surprise iPhone, or claimed their tablet was infected with a virus. However it happened, you’re now staring at the device wondering, What do I do next?
Don’t panic. Kids are curious, and scammers are really good at making things look urgent, exciting, or trustworthy. Clicking a scam link doesn’t always lead to disaster, but it does mean you need to take some quick steps to make sure everything is secure and to help your child learn what to watch out for next time.
Step 1: Stay Calm
The most important first step is to stay calm. Clicking a suspicious link doesn’t automatically mean the device is infected or your accounts are compromised. What matters most is how you respond next. Your child may feel nervous or embarrassed, so keeping your tone neutral and supportive will help them be honest about what happened. This sets the stage for fixing the problem and building trust so they’ll come to you again if something like this happens in the future.
Step 2: Ask What Happened
Sit with your child and ask them what they clicked, where they found it, and what they did afterward. Did the link open a website? Did it ask for any information like a username, password, or email? Did they download anything or install a new app? Ask these questions without judgment, just like you’re investigating something together. Then check the device yourself. Look at the browser history to see where the link led. Check the Downloads folder to see if anything new was saved. Scan the home screen or app list for unfamiliar apps that may have been installed without their knowledge.
Step 3: Secure the Device and Accounts
Once you understand what happened, it’s time to take action. Start by changing passwords for important accounts your child uses. This includes their email, gaming accounts, school login, and anything tied to a Google or Apple ID. Use strong, unique passwords, and avoid reusing the same one across multiple accounts. If available, turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) for added protection. This sends a code to your child’s phone or email when logging in, making it harder for anyone else to access their account even if they have the password.
Next, check the device for malware or unwanted apps. On Apple devices, go to Safari settings and clear the browsing data. On Android devices, open Google Play Protect and run a scan, or use a reputable antivirus app to check for anything harmful. If you’re on a Windows or Mac computer, run a security scan using trusted antivirus software to make sure nothing sneaky got installed.
Step 4: Talk About What Happened
Now that you’ve handled the technical side, take a few minutes to talk with your child about what happened—and how to avoid it in the future. Remind them they’re not in trouble. In fact, it’s good they told you. Let them know these kinds of scams are designed to fool people, even adults. Help them learn to spot red flags like urgent messages, pop-ups saying “You’ve been hacked!” or offers that seem too good to be true. Also teach them to be suspicious of links from strangers or from friends that don’t sound right. This is the perfect moment to explain the basics of online scams in a way they’ll remember.
Step 5: Set Up Protection for the Future
After dealing with the immediate situation, take a few steps to make things safer moving forward. Use parental control tools like Google Family Link, Apple Screen Time, or apps like Bark or Qustodio to help monitor activity. These tools won’t catch everything, but they can block many malicious sites and alert you to suspicious behavior. You can also restrict downloads, require approval for in-app purchases, and turn on SafeSearch in browsers. For younger kids, consider using a kid-safe browser that limits their access to approved websites only.
Finally, create a routine for regular “tech check-ins.” This doesn’t have to be a big deal—just a weekly or monthly chat about what they’re doing online, what new apps they’re using, and whether anything weird or uncomfortable has come up. Keeping that line of communication open is one of the most powerful protections you can give your child.
The Bottom Line
Scam links are everywhere, and even the most tech-savvy kids can fall for one. What matters is helping them respond the right way and making it a learning opportunity—not a shame-filled moment. With a calm approach, a little cleanup, and the right protections in place, your child will walk away a little smarter, a little safer, and a lot more confident.