Children aged 5–10 can learn to spot fake messages before they click, reply, or share anything important.
Many fake messages are designed to look real, friendly, or urgent. Some appear in games, apps, pop-ups, emails, or links.
This guide helps parents, carers, and schools teach children how to spot fake messages, question what they see, and check with a Safe Adult before taking action.
Why children need to spot fake messages early
Young children often assume that if something appears on a screen, it must be true, safe, or meant for them.
They may believe:
- a message is real because it looks important
- a pop-up is true because it appears suddenly
- a link is safe because it uses familiar words or pictures
- an online offer is genuine because it promises something exciting
This is why early teaching matters. Children do not need fear. They need simple habits that help them slow down and check first.
What fake messages and online tricks can look like
For children aged 5–10, online tricks are often not obvious scams in the adult sense. They may appear as:
- messages saying they have won something
- pop-ups telling them to click quickly
- links pretending to unlock a game, prize, or video
- fake warnings saying something is wrong with the device
- requests asking them to enter details or ask an adult for payment
- messages pretending to be from a game, app, or familiar brand
Children may not understand the purpose behind these messages. They only see something bright, exciting, urgent, or confusing.
Simple rules children can remember
It helps to give children a few short rules they can actually use. For example:
- do not click fast
- do not reply to strange messages
- do not press pop-ups without checking
- do not enter names, passwords, or details
- always ask a Safe Adult first
These rules work best when repeated calmly and often, not only after something has gone wrong.
Helpful phrases adults can use
Children learn faster when the language is clear and familiar. You can say:
- “Not everything on a screen tells the truth.”
- “Some messages are made to trick people.”
- “If something tells you to hurry, stop and check.”
- “If a message feels strange, show me first.”
- “Real adults do not ask children to solve money or account problems online.”
This kind of language helps children recognise risk without making them frightened of every device or message.
How to practise spotting fake messages
Children understand more when adults show them examples. You can practise by looking together at safe, everyday situations and asking:
- Does this look real or fake?
- Is it trying to rush you?
- Is it asking you to click, pay, or share something?
- Does it want you to keep a secret?
- Should a Safe Adult check first?
The goal is not to turn children into detectives. The goal is to build a pause-and-check habit.
What adults should watch for
Children may need more support if they:
- click quickly without reading
- believe messages too easily
- struggle to notice when something feels suspicious
- become excited by prizes, offers, or unlocks
- feel embarrassed after making a mistake
If this happens, stay calm. Shame makes children hide things. Calm teaching makes them more likely to come to you next time.
What to do if a child clicks something suspicious
If a child has clicked a fake link or message, the first step is to keep the response calm.
You can say:
- “Thank you for telling me.”
- “You are not in trouble.”
- “We will check it together.”
Then take the practical steps needed, such as closing the page, checking the app or device, changing passwords if necessary, and monitoring for any further problems. The key safeguarding point is that the child told you. That should always be reinforced.
Building safer digital habits over time
Learning to spot fake messages is really part of a wider digital safety habit. Children benefit from knowing that:
- not everything online is honest
- fast decisions are often unsafe decisions
- Safe Adults help with confusing online moments
- it is always okay to stop and ask first
Repeated calm conversations build confidence. Over time, children become more cautious, more thoughtful, and more likely to speak up before something becomes a bigger problem.
You may also find our guide on screen time boundaries for children helpful when teaching children to pause before clicking or replying online.
Final thought
Teaching children to spot fake messages, scams, and online tricks is not about making them fearful of screens. It is about helping them understand that some online content is designed to mislead, rush, or manipulate.
When adults teach children to pause, question what they see, and check with a Safe Adult, they are building a practical safety habit that can protect them across games, apps, websites, and digital life more widely. Adults can also read the NSPCC online safety advice for parents and carers for extra support.
Adults can help children spot fake messages by teaching them to pause, check, and ask before clicking.
