My Kid Has
Been Hacked!
Cyber Emergency Kit
What can being hacked look like for kids?
Things to watch out for:
Gaming account takeovers
Suspicious texts asking your kid to click a link
Fake giveaways asking for personal information
Someone pretending to be a friend or family member
Suspicious downloads affecting their devices
Whatever happened, start here:
01
STOP
Calm is key
When something goes wrong, your first instinct may be to act quickly. Take a moment first to figure out what happened before taking action.
Avoid clicking on unfamiliar links, responding to suspicious messages, or making decisions until you have a clearer picture of the situation. A calm first step can help prevent the problem from getting worse. You can even Take9.
02
SECURE
Lock it down
After you’ve assessed the situation, secure your child’s accounts. Start by changing the password for the affected account and any other accounts that use the same password. The goal is to regain control and protect your child’s personal information. This step is critical to prevent further unauthorized access.
03
DOCUMENT
Keep the receipts
Before wiping any devices or deleting anything, take some time to document what happened. Saving key details can help you piece together what happened and will make it easier to report the incident. Keep the evidence somewhere safe and accessible so you can refer back to it as you take the next steps.
04
REPORT
Know who to call
Depending on what happened, there may be more than one place to report an incident. Use the platform’s reporting or support tools for hacked accounts, scams, or suspicious activity.
Contact your child’s school when a school account or device is involved, and reach out to your financial institution if money or payment information is affected. For serious threats or suspected crimes, contact law enforcement.
05
TALK IT OUT
No shame, no blame
Cyber incidents can be scary, and your child may feel embarrassed or worried they'll get in trouble. Reassure them that telling you was the right thing to do. Once things are under control, talk through what happened and help them identify warning signs to watch out for next time.
Be ready when it matters
Knowing how to respond can help your child move forward after a cyber incident.
