You hand your child the phone so they can finish homework or watch a video. A few minutes later they are chatting with an AI bot, playing a game with strangers or tapping a “free gift” link. Today’s online risks are different from what most parents grew up with, and that can feel scary. The good news is that you do not need to be a tech expert. Calm conversations, a few simple settings and clear family rules protect most children. This guide explains the biggest threats today in plain words and gives you easy steps to keep your child safe.
Quick answer
- The main risks today: AI chatbots and companion apps, fake AI-made images (deepfakes), strangers in online games, sextortion, cyberbullying, fake apps and scams, and oversharing.
- The best protection is trust. Children who feel safe talking to you will tell you when something goes wrong.
- Set up basics: strong passwords, two-step login, parental controls, privacy settings and an app-download rule.
- Teach one rule: “If something online feels strange, scary or too good to be true, stop and tell me. You will not be in trouble.”
- If something goes wrong in India: call 1930 for cyber fraud, 1098 (Childline) for a child in distress, and report online crimes at cybercrime.gov.in.
Why children are easy targets online
Children are curious, trusting and eager to fit in. They may not spot a fake offer, a fake profile or a clever lie. Criminals know this. They also know that many children are afraid to tell parents about a mistake, because they fear punishment or losing their phone. That fear is what you can change.
The biggest online threats to children today
| Threat | What it looks like | Who is most at risk |
|---|---|---|
| AI chatbots and companion apps | Chatting for hours with a bot, sharing secrets, getting unsafe or wrong advice | Tweens and teens |
| Deepfakes and fake images | AI-made fake photos or videos used to embarrass or threaten | Teens, especially girls |
| Online gaming risks | Strangers in voice and text chat, “free currency” scams, fake download links | All ages, especially 8 to 15 |
| Sextortion | Someone pressures a child for photos, then threatens to share them | Teens, especially boys |
| Cyberbullying | Mean messages, fake accounts, group chat attacks | All ages |
| Fake apps and scams | Copycat apps, unofficial game files, fake prizes | All ages |
| Oversharing and privacy | Posting location, school or personal details | All ages |
| Smart and connected devices | Weak passwords on cameras, speakers, toys and trackers | Younger children at home |
1. AI chatbots and companion apps
Many children now use AI for homework, and some also use AI “friends” or “companions” for chat. Experts raise several worries. Children may share private details because a bot feels friendly and never judges. A bot can give wrong, unsafe or inappropriate answers. And some children start to prefer a bot to real friends.
One US survey by Common Sense Media, summarised by a parenting site, reported that about 70% of US teens had tried an AI companion app. Numbers differ by country, but the trend is clear.
What you can do:
- Treat AI tutors and study tools differently from AI “friend” or “partner” apps. Many experts advise keeping romantic or therapy-style bots away from younger teens.
- Check which AI apps your child uses and read their age rules.
- Tell your child: never share your full name, school, address, photos or passwords with a bot.
- Remind them that AI can be wrong and is not a replacement for a trusted adult.
- Keep talking. A child who can ask you for help is less likely to rely on a chatbot.
For more on AI tools, see our guide to free AI tools for students.
2. Deepfakes and fake AI images
AI tools can now make fake photos and videos that look real. In February 2026, UNICEF reported that at least 1.2 million children across 11 countries surveyed said their images had been manipulated into sexually explicit deepfakes in the past year. Creating or sharing such images of a child is a serious crime in many countries, including India.
What you can do:
- Tell your child that a photo they post can be copied and misused, so they should post less and keep accounts private.
- If a fake image of your child appears, do not blame them. Save evidence, report it and ask the platform to remove it.
- Learn more in our guide on how to protect yourself from deepfakes and on digital arrest scams.
3. Online gaming risks
Games are where many children make friends, but they also bring strangers into your child’s life. Common problems include strangers asking to move to a private chat, offers of free in-game money or items in exchange for a login, fake “mod” or cheat downloads that carry malware and pressure to spend money.
A 2026 Norton report found that, among parents whose child had faced cyberbullying, about one in four said it came from someone the child met through online gaming.
What you can do:
- Turn on chat limits and privacy settings in each game.
- Teach the rule: “Free is a flag.” No real game gives free currency in return for a password.
- Allow downloads only from official stores and the game’s own website.
- Notice sudden changes in gaming habits, such as secrecy, new “friends” or new spending.
4. Sextortion and unwanted contact
Sextortion happens when someone pressures a child to share private images, then threatens to share them unless the child sends more pictures or money. It often starts with a friendly stranger on a game or social app, and the person may use a fake profile. Teen boys are often targeted.
What you can do now, before anything happens:
- Say it out loud in a calm talk: “If anyone online ever threatens you, it is never your fault. Come to me right away. I will help you.”
- Teach your child not to move chats from a game to private apps with people they have not met in real life.
- Explain that people online can pretend to be anyone.
If it has already happened, see the section “If something goes wrong” below.
5. Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying can come from classmates, fake accounts or even AI-made accounts. Signs include a child who hides their phone, seems upset after being online or does not want to go to school. Save screenshots, block the accounts, report them to the platform and tell the school if classmates are involved.
6. Fake apps, scams and malware
Children want new apps, games and tools, sometimes ones not yet available in their country. Search results and links then lead to copycat apps, unofficial files and fake sites. Even official stores sometimes host harmful apps, so check reviews, the developer name and the permissions an app asks for.
Money warning: if your child can use your phone, UPI or card, a scam or an in-game purchase can cost real money quickly. Do not share your UPI PIN or OTP with children, and set purchase limits. Read our guides on OTP scams, how to identify a fake text message and how to safeguard against fake apps and KYC fraud.
7. Oversharing and privacy
Children may post their school name, location, daily routine or photos in school uniform without thinking. Teach them to keep accounts private, turn off location tags, and ask before they post a photo of a friend.
8. Smart devices at home
Smart cameras, speakers, toys and pet gadgets connect to the internet, and many ship with weak default passwords. Change default passwords, update the devices, and cover or switch off cameras when not needed. Keep them on a separate guest Wi-Fi if your router allows it.
Warning signs your child may need help
One sign alone does not mean there is a problem, but several together are worth a gentle talk:
- Sudden secrecy about the phone or hiding the screen
- Changes in mood, sleep or eating after being online
- Avoiding school or friends
- New “friends” you have never heard about
- Unexplained spending, gift cards or missing money
- Deleting messages or accounts suddenly
- Anxiety when a notification arrives
How to protect your child: 10 simple steps
- Talk early and often. Short, calm chats about what they do online work better than one big lecture.
- Set family rules together, such as no phones at night in the bedroom and no sharing passwords with friends.
- Use parental controls such as Google Family Link or Apple Screen Time to set time limits, approve apps and filter content. Explain why you are using them.
- Turn on privacy settings on every account, and keep profiles private for younger children.
- Use strong, different passwords and two-step login for the main accounts. A family password manager helps.
- Check app downloads. Ask your child to show you before installing a new app or game.
- Limit spending. Turn on purchase approval, keep your payment apps locked and never share your PIN or OTP.
- Keep devices updated and install a trusted security app on computers and phones.
- Teach critical thinking. Ask: “Who made this? Why are they offering it? What do they want from me?”
- Lead by example. Children copy what we do, so use your own phone carefully too.
Age-by-age guide
| Age | Main focus | Simple rules |
|---|---|---|
| 5 to 8 | Safe use with you nearby | Use child-safe apps only; sit together; never share names, photos or addresses; no chat with strangers |
| 9 to 12 | Games, videos and first chats | Approve apps; use chat limits; “free is a flag”; tell a parent about anything strange |
| 13 to 17 | Social media, AI, privacy and money | Talk about sextortion, deepfakes and scams openly; review privacy settings together; agree on AI and screen-time rules; respect growing privacy |
These ages are guides. Every child is different, and you know yours best.
How to start the conversation: easy opening lines
- “Show me your favourite game. What do you like about it?”
- “Has anyone online ever asked you for something that felt strange?”
- “If you ever make a mistake online, what do you think I would do? I want you to know I will help first.”
- “What do you use AI for? Can you show me?”
Listen more than you talk. If your child shares something worrying, thank them first. That makes them more likely to come back next time.
Monitoring versus privacy: finding the balance
As children grow, they want privacy, and that is normal. Strict spying can damage trust and push them to hide things. A good balance is to be open about the tools you use, give more freedom as they show good habits and keep the rule that safety comes first. For younger children, closer supervision is right. For teens, talk more and watch less.
If something goes wrong
Stay calm. Your child needs to feel safe, not blamed.
- Reassure your child: “You are not in trouble. We will fix this together.”
- Stop contact. Do not reply to the person, and do not pay money or send more pictures.
- Save evidence. Take screenshots of messages, profiles, links and payment details. Do not delete them until you have copies.
- Block and report the account on the app or game.
- Secure accounts. Change passwords and turn on two-step login.
- Report in India:
- Call 1930 (national cybercrime helpline) if money is involved or someone is threatening your child, and file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in.
- Call 1098 (Childline) for support for a child in distress.
- Call 112 in an emergency or if your child is in immediate danger.
- Get support. Talk to your child’s school counsellor or a mental health professional if your child seems anxious or hurt.
- Ask for removal of images from platforms, and keep reporting until they are taken down.
Never share or forward explicit images of a child, even to “help” or to show evidence. Describe them when you report and let the authorities handle them.
What the law says in India
India’s Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, 2025, were notified in November 2025. They require companies to get verifiable parental consent before processing the personal data of anyone under 18, with some exceptions for services such as healthcare and education. They also restrict tracking, behaviour monitoring and targeted advertising aimed at children. Most of these obligations come into force in stages, with the main compliance deadline around May 2027, although the government has discussed shortening the timeline. This does not replace your role as a parent, but it should make it harder for apps to collect your child’s data without you knowing.
Common mistakes parents make
- Reacting with anger or taking the phone away when a child admits a problem
- Setting parental controls without telling the child
- Using the same password on every family account
- Assuming official app stores are always safe
- Letting young children use adult AI or social apps because “everyone has them”
- Sharing the family UPI PIN or card details
- Never checking privacy settings after an app update
Need help for your family or school?
If your school or community group wants a cyber safety session, contact Infovistar. For more cybersecurity guides, browse our Cybersecurity category.
FAQs
What are the biggest online dangers for children today?
The main dangers are strangers in games and social apps, sextortion, cyberbullying, AI-made fake images, AI chatbot and companion apps, fake apps and scams, and oversharing personal details. Most can be reduced with open talks, privacy settings and simple family rules.
At what age should a child get a smartphone?
There is no single right age. Think about your child’s maturity, your family rules and whether you can supervise. Many parents start with a basic phone or a shared family device, and move to a smartphone with parental controls later.
Is it safe for kids to use AI chatbots?
It can be, with limits. AI study helpers can be useful with supervision. AI “friend” or “partner” apps raise more concerns about privacy, unsafe content and emotional dependence, so many experts advise keeping them away from younger teens. Always check the app’s age rules and talk to your child about what they share.
How can I protect my child from online predators?
Talk openly about people who pretend to be someone else, set privacy and chat limits on games and apps, and teach your child never to move chats to private apps with someone they have not met in real life. Make sure your child knows they can always tell you, and that they will not be punished.
What is sextortion and what should I do?
Sextortion is when someone pressures a child for private images or money and threatens to share images if the child refuses. If it happens, stay calm, tell your child it is not their fault, stop all contact, do not pay, save evidence, block and report the account, and call 1930 or file at cybercrime.gov.in in India.
What are deepfakes, and how can I protect my child?
Deepfakes are fake photos, videos or voices made with AI. Reduce risk by keeping accounts private, posting fewer photos, and teaching your child to tell you right away if they see a fake image of themselves or a classmate. Report and ask for removal.
Should I use parental control apps?
Yes, for most families, especially with younger children. Tools such as Google Family Link and Apple Screen Time help with time limits, app approval and content filters. Tell your child about them and explain why. Combine tools with conversation, because no app can replace trust.
How do I stop my child from spending money in games?
Turn on purchase approval in the app store, do not save your card or UPI details on the child’s device, set spending limits and talk about how in-game purchases work. Check bank and UPI statements for unexpected charges.
How do I know if my child is being cyberbullied?
Look for secrecy about the phone, mood changes after being online, avoiding school or friends, and sudden changes in sleep or eating. Ask gently, save evidence, block and report the accounts, and involve the school if classmates are involved.
What should I do if my child is scammed online?
Stay calm, stop contact, call your bank if money was involved, call 1930 and file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in. Change passwords and keep screenshots. Then talk with your child about what happened without blame.
Are there laws in India that protect children’s data online?
Yes. India’s DPDP Act, 2023, and the DPDP Rules, 2025, require verifiable parental consent before processing the data of anyone under 18, with some exceptions, and restrict tracking and targeted ads aimed at children. The main obligations phase in by around May 2027.
How can I talk to my teenager about online safety without starting a fight?
Start with curiosity, not accusations. Ask what apps and games they enjoy, listen without judging and share your own online mistakes. Agree on a few clear rules together, and tell them you will help first if something goes wrong.
Final thoughts
You cannot watch your child every second, and you do not need to. What protects children most is a home where they feel safe telling the truth. Learn the basics, set up a few smart settings, talk often and stay calm when something goes wrong. Small, steady steps keep your child safer today and teach them habits that last for life.
This article gives general safety information and is not legal or medical advice. Helplines, rules and apps change, so confirm details on official websites. Reviewed on November 1, 2026.
