Youth

Identity Fraud: Minors Can Be Victims Too

When we think of identity fraud most of us draw our attention to adults aged 18 and up. We assume risk begins when we start opening up lines of credit, purchasing homes, or paying taxes. However, the risk may begin sooner than we realize. In 2021, about 23.9 million people in the U.S. ages 16 or older had been victims of identify theft during the prior 12 months. It was not until I experienced identity theft that I realized the vulnerability our minors face and how easily they can fall victim. Unfortunately in most cases, minor identity theft goes unnoticed until they reach the age of 18.

So what exactly is minor identity theft? This happens when someone accesses a child under the age of 18 personal information and uses it to access services or commit fraud. Scammers might use a social security number, name, address, date of birth, or passport. Minors are a vulnerable population, meaning they are at an increased risk for theft. Minors theft is becoming increasingly common for several reasons:

  • We do not typically monitor minor credit scores
  • Minors are more likely to share personal information online (social media, gaming chat)
  • Phishing links are hard to identify
  • More likely to utilize public Wifi
  • Use the same password for multiple sites
  • They don’t understand identity theft
  • Smart phones and other technology are frequently misplaced
  • Frequent use of apps that utilize or track personal information

Sometimes our identity becomes comprised due to circumstances outside of our control. Data scammers will access data from the dark web and information collected due to data breaches which can include, social media websites, healthcare, schools, and even personal computer systems. Other sources of access include applying for government benefits or IRS/tax information.

There are actions we can take to protect our youth from becoming victims of this rapidly growing crime. The Federal Trade Commission for Consumer Safety recommends that caregivers take the following actions:

  • Check your child’s credit report when you can
  • Children under 16 can freeze their credit by contacting the three major credit bureaus ( find information here)
  • Utilize a 3rd party credit monitoring system
  • Ask questions before providing your child’s social security number to anyone. (why do you need it? how will you protect it? can you use a different identifier? Can you use just the last 4 digits?)

If you’ve began monitoring minor personal information and you’ve noticed suspicious activity there are steps that can be taken. 1) contact companies where the fraud occurred 2) contact all three credit bureaus 3) file a police report 4) report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission at identitytheft.gov. Taking steps to monitor youth personal information can help stop them from becoming victims and help them to protect their identity.

Sources:

Kim, E., Heras, G. de las, & Puig, A. (2024, April 23). How to protect your child from identity theft. Consumer Advice. https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-protect-your-child-identity-theft#protect

Morad, R. (2014, July 22). Why teens are at risk for identity theft. LifeLock Official Site. https://lifelock.norton.com/learn/identity-theft-resources/teens-risk-identity-theft

Erika Harrell, erika. (2023, October). Victims of identity theft, 2021. Bureau of Justice Statistics. https://bjs.ojp.gov/library/publications/victims-identity-theft-2021

Author: Holly Bandy, Extension Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Stark County

Reviewer: Katie Schlagheck, Extension Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Ottawa & Sandusky Counties

Beyond September, Recognizing Suicide Prevention for Children

sad child alone in dark

Dedicating an entire month to suicide prevention is a wonderful way to recognize the importance of this epidemic…but it is not enough. According to an article published in Pediatrics, suicide is the second leading cause of death for 10- to 24-year-olds in the United States. Which is why youth mental health education must be a daily investment. We tend to think about suicide as something affecting children only after they reach the tumultuous teen years, but studies show that while not as common, younger children are also at risk. Alarmingly, young children are experiencing high levels of stress exacerbated by negative influences such as social media, bullying, lack of resources, and poverty.

Children who have mental health illnesses such as depression, anxiety, or oppositional defiant disorder are at greater risk for dying by suicide. Other risk factors include substance use disorder, changes related to puberty, physical or sexual abuse, and exposure to other’s suicide.

According to SAMSA, parents should be familiar with the following warning signs that their child may be struggling:

  • Feeling very sad or withdrawn or easily irritated for more than two weeks
  • Seriously trying to harm or kill themselves, or making plans to do so
  • Experiencing sudden overwhelming fear for no reason, sometimes with a racing heart or fast breathing
  • Getting in many fights or wanting to hurt others
  • Showing severe out-of-control behavior that can hurt oneself or others
  • Not eating, throwing up, or using laxatives to make themselves lose weight
  • Having intense worries or fears that get in the way of daily activities
  • Experiencing extreme difficulty controlling behavior, putting themselves in physical danger or causing problems in school
  • Using drugs or alcohol
  • Having severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships
  • Showing drastic changes in behavior or personality
  • A drop in their school performance

The Mayo Clinic urges parents who believe their child is considering suicide to call 911, their local emergency number, or a suicide hotline. In the United States, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Or use the Lifeline Chat. Services are free and confidential. The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S. has a Spanish language phone line at 888-628-9454 (toll-free).

Author:  Heather Reister, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Butler County 

Reviewer:  Jenny Lobb, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Franklin County

Sources

For parents and caregivers of children. SAMHSA. (2023, April 23). https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/how-to-talk/parents-and-caregivers

Hua, L., Lee, J., Rahmandar, M., & Sigel, E. (2024, January). Suicide and suicide risk in adolescents | pediatrics | American Academy of Pediatrics. Pediatrics. https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/153/1/e2023064800/196189/Suicide-and-Suicide-Risk-in-Adolescents?autologincheck=redirected

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2023, May 5). What parents need to know about teen suicide. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/tween-and-teen-health/in-depth/teen-suicide/art-20044308

Youth & Summer Programs

Summer is in full swing! Children are home from school and parents may be on the hunt to keep them engaged and involved this summer. A popular choice that many parents have selected is summer camps. There can be a variety of summer camps to choose from. Some opportunities may be day camps; while others are a week away from mom and dad and full of new adventures to enjoy. There are many benefits to youth attending summer camps. These benefits include meeting new friends, trying new activities, physical activity, and creating memories that will last a lifetime. Studies show camps offering structured programs and physical activity may prevent weight gain in youth and help maintain physical fitness over the summer.

happy people in the summertime

Along with the many memories made, summer camps also teach independence. During the week, participants get themselves up, get dressed, and brush their teeth all before the bell sounds to start breakfast and to begin the day. Summer camps also encourage well-being. Youth get to attend camp, see their friends, meet new ones, and come home with so many stories to share. Camps provide opportunities for practicing self-advocacy and other social skills. Youth may also have opportunities to increase self-esteem in these programs. Campers get to try activities and have experiences they can bring home for the rest of the family to enjoy. Various summer camps offer different activities for all to enjoy; there is something for everyone. I know when I was young, summer camps kept me busy and entertained all summer. My favorite memories as a kid came from the various camps I attended. I also made some of my very best friends at summer camp. I encourage parents to provide an opportunity for their youth to attend a summer camp of some variation. It will get children into the great outdoors and there the opportunities are endless. 

Written by: Kearsten Kirby, Student Intern, Ohio State University Extension Miami County kirby.305@osu.edu

Reviewed by:  Alisha Barton, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension Miami County barton.345@osu.edu

Sources:

15 benefits of summer camp for your kids. GWRYMCA. (n.d.). Retrieved July 11, 2022, from https://gwrymca.org/blog/15-benefits-summer-camp-your-kids

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education; Board on Children, Youth, and Families; Committee on Summertime Experiences and Child and Adolescent Education, Health, and Safety; Hutton R, Sepúlveda MJ, editors.

Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2019 Sep 26.

Under Our Wing: Connecting with the Next Generation of Birders

Three young people standing outside, one looking through binoculars and one pointing

Recently, I met an 11-year-old who likes birds. Since I self-identify as a bird nerd, we started talking and I quickly realized this young person had a genuine curiosity and passion for birds. She told me she had checked out Smithsonian Handbooks: Birds of North America from her school library and had no intention of returning it.

As a parent of teenagers, I struggle to get my kids off screens and out in nature, despite my constant reminders about the health benefits of getting outdoors. Here was a young person who wanted to get outside, so we made plans to go birding together.

And birding we did. The two of us spent 5 hours out in the cold on a gloomy, gray day and we had a blast. She brought (and I carried) the large, heavy Smithsonian library book with her. When we spotted a bird, she knew exactly where to find it in the book.

It was delightful to bird with a young person who was excited and engaged. I look forward to birding with her and other young people in the future. After spending time with a young birder, it became clear to me why we should take young birders under our wing:

  • They are connecting with nature: Our young people are disconnected from the natural world. Studies found that 8- to 12-years-old spend 4 to 6 hours on screens every day, while teens spend up to 9 hours. Time spent on screens almost always equates to time spent indoors, disconnected from nature.
  • They can showcase their strengths: Birdability is a non-profit organization that “ensures that birding truly is for everybody and every body, regardless of disability or other health concerns.” Their blog has stories from birders who are autistic, color-blind, hearing-impaired, and mobility-challenged. One young birder described her ADHD as her birding superpower since she saw and heard so many details around her!
  • They benefit from Vitamin N (Nature): There are decades of research that show the positive impact that spending time outdoors has on our mental and physical health. Nature has unique health benefits to young people, especially when it comes to kids with ADHD, allergies, asthma, weight issues, and mental health challenges.
  • They are becoming environmental stewards: Children who spend time in nature are more likely to feel connected to nature as adults, and therefore, more likely to care for and protect the natural world.

After our birding outing, I purchased my new birding buddy her own copy of the Smithsonian Handbook. I am selfishly hoping the returned library book will inspire another young birder at her school. I also added a Birds of Ohio Field Guide to her collection so the next time we’re out birding, neither of us has to lug a 752-page handbook.

Additional Birding Resources:

To find more information about birds and birding, please visit: go.osu.edu/nature-matters-birds

25th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count photo

Written by Laura M. Stanton, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Warren County, stanton.60.osu.edu

Reviewed by Shari Gallup, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Licking County, gallup.1@osu.edu

Photo Credit: Kindel Media from Pexels

References

Alsop, F. J. (2001). Smithsonian Handbooks: Birds of North America: Eastern Region. New York, NY: DK Publishing.

Wells, N. M. & Lekies, K. S. (2006). Nature and the Life Course: Pathways from Childhood Nature Experiences to Adult Environmentalism. Children, Youth and Environments, 16(1), 1–24. http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7721/chilyoutenvi.16.1.0001

Louv, R. (2008). Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder. Chapel Hill, NC: Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill.

Scripps Health. (2022, January 10). Do Your Kids Spend Too Much Time in Front of a Screen? https://www.scripps.org/news_items/4688-do-your-kids-spend-too-much-time-in-front-of-a-screen

Stanton, L. M. (2021, February 11). Benefits of Being a Bird Nerd. https://livehealthyosu.com/2021/02/11/benefits-of-being-a-bird-nerd

Stanton, L. M. (2021, April 19). Get Out! Celebrate Nature on Earth Day and Every Day. https://livehealthyosu.com/2021/04/19/get-out-celebrate-nature-on-earth-day-and-every-day

Stanton, L. M. (2021, November 30). Wonder and Wander in Nature this Winter. https://livehealthyosu.com/2021/11/30/wonder-and-wander-in-nature-this-winter

Tekiela, S. (2020). Birds of Ohio Field Guide. Cambridge, MN: Adventure Publications.

Thinking Outside the Box

a gift-wrapped box

With the holiday season comes gift-giving to our young people. Often, the gift box contains new technology for our teens and even younger children. The device could be a first cell phone, tablet, or even a laptop. When our young people exhaust playing with toys, we default to technology as the next level of gifts. My children are young adults now, but I can remember back to the iPod, laptops, Nintendo DS, Wii, and smartphones opened from the boxes at Christmas. For my son, we waited until 13 for his first phone, but for my daughter, we surprised her a year early at 12. As adults, we were in control, and we decided when they would get access. However, looking back, I would have delayed gifting some technology until later. 

It does not have control when it is in the box, but once you open Pandora’s technology box, devices can control a person. It is hard enough as adults to have the willpower to set down our devices. Young people struggle even more without fully developed will-power or self-regulation. Healthy boundaries are good to provide and can benefit children’s mental health. Setting technology boundaries before a device is out of the box or turned on for the first time is the best practice.

Some best practices include setting up data limits. If the data runs out, they can still use the device as a phone or in Wi-Fi, but they have just exhausted their “connected time”. Most phones now come with a screen time feature that limits time on certain apps, at certain times of the day, or which apps can be downloaded. Use these features to help enforce the guidelines, but do not depend on them alone. The Internet is a dangerous playground for youth to access unsupervised. Set restrictions on which types of websites they can visit and ensure all Internet use is done in public spaces.

Phones also have helpful features, like knowing your children’s location or contacting them after school. Some educational apps will help youth study and learn about different topics. Show your youth how they can be content creators rather than just consumers. Many apps teach youth coding to create the app versus just consuming the app. Ohio 4-H just launched a program called Clovers CODE, which helps youth in 4-H learn to create apps and the code behind the app.

Modeling guidelines is also important. If your family rule is no phones in bedrooms, then have a family charging station in a central place in the home. Introduce a “no phones at dinner time” rule and abide by that. Show your children that immediate responses to their friends are not urgent and can wait by delaying your own replies. And instead of spending time on devices, enjoy time together this holiday playing family games.

As you wrap up all your boxes this holiday season, do not forget to think outside the box and set your family boundaries before the technology is gifted to your children.

Written by Mark D. Light, Ph.D., Leader, Ohio 4-H STEM & Digital Engagement Innovations

Reviewed by Jenny Lobb, MPH, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension Franklin County

References:

Abi-Jaoude, E., Naylor, K. T., & Pignatiello, A. (2020). Smartphones, social media use and youth mental health. Canadian Medical Associaton Journal, 192(6), E136-E141. https://www.cmaj.ca/content/192/6/E136

Dempsey, S., Lyons, S., & McCoy, S. (2019). Later is better: Mobile phone ownership and child academic development. Economic and Social Research Institute. http://aei.pitt.edu/101971/1/RB201903_01.pdf

Wiles, B. B., Schachtner, L., & Pentz, J. L. (2016). The New Screen Time: Computers, Tablets, and Smartphones Enter the Equation. Journal of Extension, 54(2), 10. https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/joe/vol54/iss2/10/