🧩 The Hook
Picture this:
You’re halfway through dinner when Mom calls—she just clicked a link saying her bank account was frozen.
Your kid’s phone starts buzzing, too—someone’s locked out of their Instagram.
And now Grandma’s chiming in about a weird email from her “doctor.”
You’re suddenly the family help desk, security officer, and therapist—again.
Sound familiar? As Gen Xers sandwiched between tech-savvy kids and our analog-loving parents (and in-laws), we’ve all been there.
The truth is, every family needs a Digital Fire Drill just like a regular one. You don’t wait for the smoke to figure out where the exits are.
So channel your inner MacGyver—let’s rig up a plan with what we’ve got.
🚨 Why You Need a Plan (Not Just Good Intentions)
Scams and breaches don’t wait for convenient timing.
And when they hit, panic makes people sloppy:
Parents or in-laws rush to “fix” things and give away info.
Kids freak out and post about it publicly.
You scramble between phone calls trying to clean up.
A 15-minute family drill turns chaos into calm. Everyone knows who to call, what to check, and what not to click.
👉 For more on common scams, check the FTC’s Scam Resource Center or AARP’s Tech Safety Tips for Seniors—both solid, trustworthy resources worth bookmarking.
🧠 How to Run Your Digital Family Fire Drill
You can do this over dinner or a weekend coffee. Keep it light but serious—like teaching kids how to stop, drop, and roll.
Step 1: Pick a Scenario
Choose one that hits home:
“Mom or Grandma gets a fake bank alert.”
“Your teen’s account gets hacked.”
“Dad or your in-law’s iPad shows a ‘virus warning’ pop-up.”
Step 2: Ask ‘What Would You Do?’
Let everyone answer before you jump in. You’ll see how each family member thinks—and where the weak spots are.
(Pro tip: This is where the eye-rolls turn into ‘aha’ moments.)
Step 3: Set Your Family Response Plan
Write it down or save it as a pinned note. Keep it simple:
Hang up → Call back the real number from the official site.
Don’t click → Screenshot and share.
Unsure? → Text the family “safe word.”
Never share codes, passwords, or account info.
If you’d like a printable checklist version of this later on, let me know in the comments—I’ll create one if there’s interest.
Step 4: Rehearse Once a Year
Just like a smoke-alarm test. You’ll be amazed how much everyone remembers—and how it builds confidence across generations.
🧰 Tools That Help
A few digital fire extinguishers worth having:
Bank & Card Alerts: Get a text whenever money moves. Most banks let you set this up right in their app (example: chase.com/security-tips).
Password Manager: One login to rule them all—use it to change compromised passwords fast. I personally like 1Password for its reliability and Proton Pass for its strong privacy focus. (No affiliates here—just tools I trust and actually use.)
Family Group Chat: Create a private thread titled “🚨 Tech Issues Only” so everyone can share screenshots quickly.
💡 Want a laugh while you learn?
Check out Scammer Payback on YouTube
Pierogi—the guy behind the channel—turns the tables on phone scammers, tracks them down, exposes their tactics, and sometimes even gets apologies. It’s equal parts satisfying and educational.
Your parents might even start spotting scam patterns on their own after watching a few.
🔄 Bring It Home
You don’t need to be paranoid—you just need to be prepared.
Next time a scammer calls, your family won’t freeze.
You’ll smile, hang up, and know exactly what to do.
Because safety isn’t about fear.
It’s about confidence.
🪵 Closing Note
We practiced fire drills as kids to stay safe.
Now we practice digital ones to stay sane.
Try your own Digital Family Fire Drill this week—and tell me how it goes.
I’ll share a few of your best ideas (anonymously) in an upcoming issue.
Stay safe, stay steady—
Joe
Your Gen X Tech Adviser