My Mom is talking to scammers/strangers on Facebook messenger. Do I set up parental controls on her phone or take it? This is so hard!

My mom believes she has been in contact via Facebook messenger with Roman Reigns from WWE (I don’t even know how or when she became interested in WWE wresting). I found out she has been messaging with this scammer on FB messenger. This is the second time this has happened. About 6 months ago she was messaging with someone that was pretending to be this same wrestler, acting as if he was in love with her, always asking her for money, and eventually they hacked her account, but I was able to retrieve it and delete the account. My Dad and I explained the dangers of the internet, how people can scam you out of money and much worse. Well, she didn’t want to hear all that so she tried everyday, in secret, to create a new Facebook account and after almost 6 months she succeeded. Once she did, she made a point to let me know. Of course, I am not happy about it.

She is naive and does not understand how the internet works, does not understand how someone can pretend to be someone they are not. When I explained she is not in contact with the actual Roman Reigns, this is a fake account, she told me to watch him on the tv Friday night and I’ll see that he is real.

I set all the settings for privacy and what not on her account to be sure it’s as protected as it can be, which really is not much at all.

Again, she is messaging with a scammer, believing it’s Roman Reigns, the same person from the last time.

I have talked with my Dad about deleting her Facebook again or possibly getting another phone that is not a smartphone. He has not been in great health recently, and worries about her not having anything to do if she gets a phone that is not a smartphone (to get pictures/videos from friends and family, play games, etc). She has mobility issues, does not drive, and does not like to leave the house unless it’s a doctor appointment or beauty shop appointment.

I am going to have to be the one to make decisions and set boundaries, as I’m an only child, but I feel awful every time I have to “fuss or discipline” my Mom. I don’t like getting stern or acting as the “parent figure”. I believe my Dad has given up on trying to make her understand and I am not entirely sure he really understands just how easy it can be for these scammers to gain access. Not to mention, the doctor told him that his recent health issues are common with age but stress can also exacerbate the problem. My dads response was “I’m a goner, have you met my wife?”

When I try to talk with my mom about, she rolls her eyes, huffs and puffs, and says “ok I get it”. It makes me flashback to when my daughter was 13/14 years old! It’s drives me nuts on one hand, but on the other I know this isn’t the mom I grew up with and I have to do what it takes to keep her safe and take care of her (and my Dad).