New research from PayPal reveals that a staggering 86% of Australians are doubling as volunteer tech support, helping their friends and family avoid scams and stay safe online. This trend is particularly strong among Gen Z and Millennials, with 77% of these younger generations assisting their parents in navigating digital dangers.
In the modern digital landscape, Australians are increasingly turning to their personal networks for online safety advice. According to the research, 56% help their parents, 40% aid friends, 35% support their children, and 20% assist coworkers. Remarkably, 81% of those surveyed have successfully prevented someone they know from falling victim to a scam. However, despite these efforts, 57% still know someone who has lost money to online fraud.
Millennials, in particular, are frequently called upon for their technical expertise, dedicating an average of 54 minutes per week to providing online safety advice. This equates to 3.6 hours per month or 43 hours per year. The average Australian spends 42 minutes per week on similar activities, totaling nearly 34 hours annually.
Daniela Fernandez, PayPal’s Head of Information Security, comments on this trend, “It’s touching that Australians are so willing to help their parents, family, and friends stay safe from scams and other online dangers. However, the best defense is for individuals to maintain personal cyber safety awareness and precautions, so we must help others help themselves going forward.”
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The research highlights the widespread impact of scams, with 97% of Australians having been targeted. Common scam methods include calls (85%), texts (82%), and emails (80%). Popular safety tips shared include using complex and unique passwords (87%), avoiding links in text messages (76%), and enabling two-factor authentication (74%). Additionally, 55% recommend using PayPal for secure online purchases.
Despite the collective vigilance, 93% of Australians remain concerned about online scams, with 85% noting that scams are becoming more sophisticated and harder to detect. This concern impacts daily life, as 87% avoid phone calls from unknown numbers, 20% report a negative impact on their mental health, and 15% have missed legitimate payments due to fear of scams.
“There is an evolutionary advantage to exchanging information about threats and potential harms, and it seems we are instinctively hardwired to help improve collective risk awareness across our networks,” Fernandez adds.
PayPal continues to lead in the digital commerce revolution, leveraging technology to enhance security and convenience for its users. For more information, visit PayPal’s official website.
Key Facts
- 86% of Australians help someone they know stay safe online.
- 56% help parents, 40% help friends, 35% help children, and 20% help coworkers.
- 81% say they have prevented someone they know from being scammed.
- 97% have been targeted by scammers; 57% know someone who has lost money to scammers or online fraud.
- 87% screen calls for fear of scams; 20% say scams harmed their mental health.
About the Research
The 2024 Online Generational Security Research by PayPal Australia was conducted with a sample size of 1,000 Australians aged 18-75. The study was fielded from April 5 to April 10, 2024.
