Groowe Groowe BETA / Newsroom
⏱ News is delayed by 15 minutes. Sign in for real-time access. Sign in

Cracks in Social Media Platforms Allow Kids Under 13 Access to Content on Fraud, Drugs and Other Illicit Activity

prnewswire.com
PYPL The article mentions PayPal in the context of children potentially accessing content related to purchasing drugs and other illicit activities, suggesting a potential risk associated with platforms where such transactions could occur, though not directly criticizing PayPal's security. GOOG The article mentions YouTube as a platform where children might be exposed to illicit content, indicating a potential concern for Google's subsidiary, but not a direct criticism of its safety measures. META The article discusses social media platforms generally and their potential for exposing children to harmful content. While Meta's platforms are not explicitly named, they are part of the broader social media landscape discussed, implying a potential concern. DIS The article mentions gaming platforms as a place where children can be exposed to illicit content. Disney owns gaming-related entities, suggesting a potential indirect concern, though not explicitly stated. TTWO The article mentions gaming platforms as a place where children can be exposed to illicit content. Take-Two is a major player in the gaming industry, suggesting a potential indirect concern, though not explicitly stated. EA The article mentions gaming platforms as a place where children can be exposed to illicit content. Electronic Arts is a major player in the gaming industry, suggesting a potential indirect concern, though not explicitly stated. NVDA The article mentions gaming platforms as a place where children can be exposed to illicit content. NVIDIA provides hardware crucial for gaming, suggesting a potential indirect concern, though not explicitly stated. MSFT The article mentions gaming platforms as a place where children can be exposed to illicit content. Microsoft has significant gaming interests (Xbox), suggesting a potential indirect concern, though not explicitly stated. AMZN The article mentions gaming platforms as a place where children can be exposed to illicit content. Amazon has gaming interests (Luna, Twitch), suggesting a potential indirect concern, though not explicitly stated. CHGG The article mentions social media and gaming platforms. Chegg's educational services might be indirectly impacted by concerns over online safety for young users, though not directly mentioned.

New Malwarebytes research explores digital safety of social media for kids

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Feb. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Malwarebytes, a global leader in online protection, released new research that explores how social media and gaming platforms from Discord to YouTube handle children's online use. Malwarebytes found that most services work well when kids use the accounts and settings designed for them. But when children are curious, use the wrong account type, or step outside those boundaries, they can easily find content related to criminal activity, purchasing drugs and other illicit or explicit content.

Explore the full findings: www.malwarebytes.com/blog/family-and-parenting/2026/02/how-safe-are-kids-using-social-media-we-did-the-groundwork

"Parents are navigating a fast-moving digital world where offline consequences are quickly felt, be it spoofed accounts, deepfake content or lost funds," said Mark Beare, GM of Consumer at Malwarebytes. "Safeguards exist and are encouraged, but children can still be exposed to harmful content. Parents and guardians need to stay involved: set clear boundaries, start conversations now about cybersecurity and privacy, and build good habits early. Simple steps, such as limiting personal data shared online or using pseudonyms where appropriate, will help protect kids long term."

Key Findings

What emerged was a consistent pattern: curious kids who poke around a little, or who end up using the wrong account type, can run into inappropriate content with surprisingly little effort.

How parents can help keep kids safe online

Parental involvement is the most important layer of protection. Open communication and frequent discussions about what to expect online, what is appropriate behavior by others and what to do if they feel uncomfortable is key. Also, be clear with kids about the real risks involved and why it is important to think about privacy today. Other guidance includes:

Malwarebytes all-in-one protection

Parents also have a partner with Malwarebytes. For insights into scams, information on important privacy topics, proactive protection against threats and human support, Malwarebytes offers all-in-one security, privacy and identity solutions. Learn more at www.malwarebytes.com.

To read more about the latest threats and cyber protection strategies, visit the Malwarebytes blog, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok and X.

About Malwarebytes

Malwarebytes is reimagining security to safeguard devices, data and people, no matter their location, lifestyle or means. A global leader in online protection, its suite of award-winning cybersecurity, privacy and identity solutions empower millions of people worldwide to enjoy their digital lives, free from threats and scams. Built and beloved by experts, Malwarebytes pairs a world-class team of threat researchers with proprietary AI-powered processes to supercharge and refine detections, providing unmatched protection against both known and unknown threats. Living up to its legacy, Malwarebytes continues to offer free tools that have long served as a first line of defense against malware and scams with new options for identity protection and data removal.

Malwarebytes, powerful digital protection that's always by your side.

Learn more: www.malwarebytes.com.

Malwarebytes Media Contact:

Ashley Stewart

Director of Public and Analyst Relations

[email protected]

SOURCE Malwarebytes