IT·Science Talk

How do I stop my parents clicking scam texts without scaring them off phones?

My dad, who is 74, nearly gave his bank details to a text pretending to be from a parcel company last month. He caught himself at the last step, thankfully. My mum has clicked on 'your account is suspended' links twice this year.

I want to help without making them so frightened that they stop using their phones, because video calls with the grandchildren are the best thing in their week. Lectures haven't worked. Printed lists of 'warning signs' went into a drawer.

What actually worked with your parents or older relatives? I'm open to practical tricks, settings, or just ways of talking about it that don't feel patronising.