You’re probably scrolling through the internet on your smartphone or computer when something grabs your attention. You might notice a headline or an interesting image. You simply move your mouse or finger quickly over the image and… click
Your finger touches the screen and clicks in a matter of seconds. Although it may seem small, online marketers invest a lot of their time creating traps to encourage you to click on their links. Because it’s how they make their money, they want you to click on the links. Sometimes, all you have to do is click on their links to increase their income.
Clickbait is what we are referring to. It’s something you have probably seen a thousand times. Let’s discuss what it is and how it affects your child online. And how we can explain it to your child so they are able to recognize it.
What’s Clickbait?
Clickbait refers to any online content that is designed to persuade users to click on a link. A link can be attached to an attractive image or a line of text that grabs attention. Sometimes the click is more important than what the link actually aims to say or do.
These are just a few examples of clickbait at work:
- A blog is promoted by a social media account with a headline that grabs attention. It might read something like, “You won’t believe what happened when you tried this life hack!” Although it’s a waste, the blogger owner gets a view and completes their mission.
- A social media quiz promises to reveal your fortune for the month ahead. Click a link, then enter your name and birthdate. In exchange for a generic fortune, the marketer begins sending you spam messages every day to your email address. To make identity theft even worse, they might use your birthdate and name.
- A company you trust sends you an email announcing a Facebook Live broadcast. It warns you about a catastrophic event. You click the link in your email to view Live. The company has a new product that they want you to purchase, and nothing is going to be catastrophic.
How Does Clickbait Work?
Have you ever wondered how clicks can make money? Let’s take an in-depth look at how clicks make money.
- A person with a website or social media account attaches a link to clickbait to try to get you to click it.
- Unsuspecting people click the link to learn more. However, they soon discover that the website or social media account they are interested in isn’t what they were looking for. This person simply doesn’t feel like they have any time left to spend on the internet.
- The content creator received a small compensation for each click they received. Sometimes they earn ad revenue by getting people to click on ads on websites. If the website requests personal information, they may collect that information to sell to advertisers.
Perhaps you are asking, “Do all businesses want people clicking their links?” Is advertising technically clickbait? The answer is yes.
To attract people to their sites, legitimate businesses will employ certain strategies. The ads clearly state what they are selling, and you can click the link to find out more. This is honest advertising.
Clickbait is different. It’s not what it seems. Most of the time, there is no legitimate business behind clickbait. It could be that the content is not relevant or it serves a deceptive purpose. All to make some pennies.
What does Clickbait mean for your child’s online security?
What’s the deal? Is clickbait really a danger for kids online?
Definitely. Here’s how:
- Malware and viruses – Sometimes, malicious websites or phishing programs are linked to these links that can infect your mobile device or computer. These links may be clicked by children without them realizing that they have installed dangerous software on their computers or phones.
- Identity theft, and fraud –Kids may be tricked into giving out personal information by pretending to be on a fraudulent website. They might give out passwords and other personal information to scammers for identity theft or fraud.
- Misinformation and deception – Clickbait is used to spread false, inflammatory or negative information. Scammers may have political motives sometimes, but others simply love spreading false narratives. It’s possible for children to have difficulty understanding what they are seeing or why it is harmful.
- Inappropriate Content – clickbait could link to all types of adult content including profanity and sexual content.
- Wasted time – Clickbait encourages endless scrolling and an insatiable appetite for content. Clickbait is not designed to serve a specific purpose.
Tips to Talk to Your Child about Clickbait
Talking to your child is the best way to protect them from clickbait. Once you have an understanding of clickbait, you can simply tell your child what you know. To make the point clear, you could pull out your smartphone and look for examples of clickbait.
Remember that clickbait is more dangerous for children than it is for adults. Online marketers know that kids don’t have the best impulse control. It can be difficult to explain the motivations of online marketers to your child.
Last, but not least, ensure your child is aware of what information they shouldn’t give out online. This applies regardless of how appealing the website may seem or how convincing the sales pitch is. It is important to not give out personal information such as a home address, phone number, birth dates, bank logins, or information about family members. A good rule of thumb: Always ask your child permission to enter any information online.
How to keep your kids safe online
What does clickbait entail for you and your family? Potential danger! You can prevent clickbait from happening by blocking harmful websites. Safes is the best way to block harmful content from websites. It also provides real-time alerts and website blocking to protect your child against clickbait.
