Child's account or device hacked: what parents should do

1. Disconnect the child's device from the internet (turn off Wi-Fi and cellular data) to stop further data exfiltration or contact with the attacker.

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   Why this matters: predators and scammers who target kids often try to keep contact open, send malicious files, or coerce children into sharing more. Cutting the network removes that lever immediately.

2. Using a different, secure device, change passwords on the child's primary email, Apple ID / Google Account, gaming accounts, and anything linked to your credit card.

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   Use YOUR phone or computer — not the compromised device. Many gaming and social platforms (Roblox, Discord, Fortnite, Snapchat) have parent-friendly account recovery flows; start with the email tied to the account.

3. Recover the Snapchat account via the official 'Forgot your password?' flow.

   Snapchat LoginSnapchat: Hacked Account Help
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   If the attacker changed the password but not the recovery email/phone, go to the Snapchat login screen, tap 'Forgot your password?', and reset via phone or email. As soon as you regain access, change the password and enable Two-Factor Authentication in Settings → Two-Factor Authentication.

1. 🇺🇸 US

   Contact the three major credit bureaus to check whether a credit report exists for your child — children should not have one, so its existence is a strong sign of identity theft.

   Equifax (minor)Experian (minor)TransUnion (minor)
2. 🇨🇦 CA

   Contact Equifax and TransUnion Canada to check whether a file exists for your child and to flag suspected child identity theft.

   Equifax CanadaTransUnion Canada

3. Review every account linked to your credit card (App Store, Google Play, gaming platforms) for unauthorized purchases and request refunds where possible.

4. If locked out completely, submit Snapchat's compromised-account form.

   Snapchat Support
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   If the attacker also changed the recovery email and phone number, go to support.snapchat.com → 'I think my account was compromised' and complete the form. You will need the original email address and phone number tied to the account, plus the username.

5. Warn your child's friends — hijacked Snapchat accounts are usually used to scam contacts.

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   Hackers commonly use a stolen Snapchat to message the victim's friends asking for money, sending phishing links, or running crypto scams. Have your child text or call their close friends from another channel to warn them their Snapchat was hacked and to ignore any messages from it.

1. 🇺🇸 US

   Place a security freeze on your child's credit at all three bureaus — free for minors and the strongest protection against synthetic-identity fraud.

   Equifax Minor FreezeExperian Minor FreezeTransUnion Minor Freeze

2. Have an open, blame-free conversation with your child about what happened — scammers and predators target kids through games and DMs, and shame keeps kids from telling parents next time.

3. 🇺🇸 US

   If the incident involved an adult contacting your child inappropriately, sextortion, or CSAM, report to the CyberTipline immediately.

   CyberTipline (NCMEC)1-800-843-5678
4. 🇨🇦 CA

   If your child was contacted inappropriately, was a target of sextortion, or CSAM was involved, report to Cybertip.ca.

   Cybertip.ca

5. Lock down Snapchat privacy settings to prevent re-targeting.

   Snap Safety Center
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   Turn off 'Quick Add', enable Ghost Mode on the Snap Map, restrict 'Contact Me' and 'View My Story' to 'Friends Only', and remove unfamiliar friends. Make sure 2FA uses an authenticator app, not just SMS.

1. Set up parental controls (Apple Screen Time, Google Family Link, Microsoft Family Safety) and review them together with your child.

2. Keep your child's credit frozen until they need credit as a young adult — thaw briefly when needed.

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