FORT WAYNE, Ind. — With the new school year in full swing, children in Fort Wayne are spending more time on computers, phones, and gaming consoles for homework, projects and staying in touch with classmates. That extra screen time also opens the door to online scams that can target even the youngest users.
Experts advise proactive education
Dr. Ray Pastore, an instructional technology professor at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, who also raises three children, says the best defense is early education. “Parents should sit down with their kids and walk through common warning signs before they encounter a scam,” he explains.
Scammers often disguise malicious links as harmless game add-ons, direct messages from strangers, or promotional offers that appear in popular social media feeds. When a child clicks a suspicious link, personal information such as a name, address or even payment details can be harvested.
Practical steps for families
Parents are urged to adopt a three‑part approach:
- Talk: Have open conversations about why sharing personal information online is risky and why unknown contacts should be avoided.
- Protect: Enable parental controls on devices, limit app downloads to trusted sources, and set strong, unique passwords for each account.
- Respond: If a child does click a malicious link, secure the affected account immediately, run antivirus scans, and discuss what happened so the child learns from the experience.
Dr. Pastore adds that consistent digital boundaries—such as designated screen‑free times and clear rules about online interactions—help reinforce safe habits without stifling the educational benefits of technology.
Community resources
Local schools and libraries are also stepping up. Fort Wayne Community Schools plans to host a series of workshops for parents throughout September, offering hands‑on guidance for setting up parental controls on popular devices. The Allen County Public Library will provide printable safety checklists that families can keep on the fridge as a quick reminder.
By combining education, technology tools, and community support, Fort Wayne families can enjoy the advantages of digital learning while keeping the dangers of online scams at bay.
Original reporting: WOWO News/Talk (Fort Wayne) — read the source article.
