Meta Launches Powerful New Tools to Protect Seniors From Online Scams: Here’s How You Can Stay Safe

Meta has been intensifying its commitment to helping its platforms be safer for older adults by introducing new features, safety resources, and awareness to help stop online fraud. As cyber fraud against vulnerable end users becomes a rising trend, and hence, the company has launched new tools that will be helpful for older adults. In addition, the tech giant is also prioritizing the education of seniors and offering viable options to safeguard their personal data on Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp.

Scam Warnings on WhatsApp and Messenger

WhatsApp currently provides warnings whenever an individual tries to share his/her screen with strangers when on video calls to avoid users falling prey to fraud. This is to prevent the entry of scammers into sensitive information, such as bank details or verification codes.

In the meantime, Messenger is in the trial of a new advanced scam detection, which detects suspicious messages from new contacts. Users can submit such recent chats to be analyzed by an AI, and in case of a possible scam, the system informs them of the most commonly used fraudulent methods and gives them a choice to block or report another user.

Secure Logins With Passkeys

Meta has also launched Passkeys on all of its platforms, enabling users to log in safely by using either fingerprint, facial recognition, or PIN. Security Checkup takes users through the necessary account protection measures on Facebook and Instagram, and Privacy Checkup lets the WhatsApp user control the settings set up, such as who can add them to their groups. These will offer an additional level of protection to the seniors and minimize the chances of unauthorized entry.

Awareness Campaigns and Community Initiatives

In India, Meta collaborates with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in order to spread the Scams Se Bacho campaign. This program offers multilingual videos to assist seniors in identifying and reporting on internet fraud.

Furthermore, the business has also been sponsoring Saksham Senior, an initiative that enables elderly people to feel confident using technologies in a digital environment by attending workshops, online learning materials, and other events in the community.

In the first half of 2025, Meta said it had blocked approximately 8 million scam-based accounts in Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, the UAE, and the Philippines. The firm had also deleted more than 21,000 pages and counterfeit customer services to deceive users into providing personal details.

Meta Suggest Tips for the Elderly

Meta recommends that seniors should not trust unsolicited messages and calls, provide any financial or personal information, or use the official customer service contacts. Families will be advised to assist the older family members by talking about fraudulent schemes and visiting them before he or she act on some cry of distress or secrecy. The combination of these efforts is to make the Internet a safer place to be as seniors to be able to enjoy social media without the fear of victimization by fraud.