Younger Brits help safeguard elders as online scams surge

Research by Avast shows that more than half of Brits with older loved ones say their elders have been victims of online scams, prompting a shift in how families approach cybersecurity at home.

The Avast Safe Tech Report, based on a survey conducted across the United Kingdom, highlights a new trend where younger family members are taking the lead in helping older relatives avoid cyber threats.

According to the study, 52% of Brits with older loved ones said their elders have fallen victim to cybercrime. Among those affected, 26% experienced a scam, while 21% were subjected to financial fraud, with other threats including data breaches and identity theft also reported.

Generational role reversal

The research reveals that younger generations, particularly Gen Z and Millennials, are increasingly stepping in.

Nearly three in five respondents - 58% - have provided help to an older family member to avoid a cyber threat, and 56% said they have recently taught an older relative how to stay safe online.

This shift comes as scammers are targeting older adults, exploiting their trust and in some cases, lack of digital literacy.

Avast found that 80% of cybercrime now originates from scams and social engineering tactics, where cybercriminals manipulate individuals into disclosing money or personal information. These findings indicate a consistent risk to one of the UK's more vulnerable demographics.

There is widespread concern about the likelihood of falling victim to such scams. The report indicates that 41% of those surveyed believe their older relatives would be susceptible if targeted by a scam. Additionally, nearly one in three (30%) expressed concern that their older loved ones engage in risky online habits. Specific worries include clicking suspicious links (68%), answering unknown calls (60%), sharing too much personal information (55%), using weak passwords (51%), and replying to unidentified texts (47%).

Conversations about cyber safety

Despite these concerns, warnings from younger family members do not always result in behavioural change. While 85% of adults have attempted to advise their elders about online safety, less than half (48%) noticed any change in online habits. The report suggests that more open conversations and guidance may be required to bridge the generational digital divide.

"Technology moves fast and we often focus on its impact on younger generations, but we can't ignore how it affects our parents and grandparents, too," said Leyla Bilge, Global Head of Scam Research for Avast.

"Think of the safety guidance you would get on a flight – put on your own oxygen mask before helping others. The same applies to Cyber Safety: learn the tips and then you can help family and friends. Even a single conversation could make a big difference."

Jorij Abraham, Managing Director for the Global Anti-Scam Alliance, added, "Like many of us, I've seen firsthand how easily a loved one can be misled by a convincing scam. Empowering families to talk openly about online safety is essential. We need to make sure our parents and grandparents feel supported, not ashamed, when it comes to digital security."

Based on the findings, Avast experts have recommended a series of best practices for families to adopt collaboratively. These include:

• Strengthening password habits with long, unique passwords (15-20 characters) featuring a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols, and considering the use of password managers.
• Being alert to unsolicited emails, texts, or phone calls, especially those claiming to be from banks, the NHS, or technical support, as these can often be scams designed to prompt urgent actions.
• Becoming familiar with the common types of scams targeting older adults, such as phishing, tech support hoaxes, romance scams, grandparent scams, fake software updates, and NHS fraud.
• Setting up security software with scam protection, such as Avast and secure browsers, and keeping all devices and applications up-to-date.
• Establishing a "phone-a-friend" system where individuals consult a trusted contact if unsure about a message or request.

Avast encourages families to make cyber safety a routine part of their conversations, in the same way as locking doors or checking smoke alarms.

The company advises households to normalise questions and emphasise that no query about online safety is unimportant.

The study was conducted by Dynata on behalf of Gen, sampling 1,000 adults across the UK and using weighting to ensure national representation by age, gender, and region.