Online gaming is where most children first encounter strangers online — and where predators, scammers, and toxic behavior are most concentrated. Here's the parent's guide to the platforms your kids are actually using.
Online gaming is the primary digital social environment for children aged 6–16. More children play Roblox, Minecraft, and Fortnite than use any social media platform — and unlike social media, gaming platforms are often less scrutinized by parents. Yet gaming platforms combine the social risks of social media (contact with strangers, social pressure, cyberbullying) with additional risks specific to gaming: in-game purchases and scams, exposure to violent or inappropriate content, and the particularly effective grooming environment created by shared gameplay.
Roblox (primary audience: ages 6–12): Roblox is a platform of user-created games, not a single game — which means content quality varies enormously. Some user-created games contain violent or sexual content that bypasses Roblox's moderation. The chat system, even with safety filters enabled, has been used by predators to contact children. Recommended settings: enable Account Restrictions (restricts chat to pre-approved phrases for younger children); set privacy settings so only friends can message and follow; disable the ability to join servers from strangers; and review your child's friend list regularly. Roblox's parental controls are in the account settings under Privacy.
Fortnite (primary audience: ages 10–16): Fortnite's voice chat is the primary risk vector — children can be matched with strangers in voice chat during gameplay. Recommended settings: disable voice chat entirely for children under 13 (Settings > Audio > Voice Chat); enable parental controls through the Epic Games parental controls portal; set spending limits to prevent unauthorized purchases; and review the friend list. Fortnite's in-game purchase system (V-Bucks) has been the subject of FTC enforcement — Epic Games paid $520 million in 2022 to settle charges related to manipulative purchase design targeting children.
Discord (primary audience: teens and adults, but widely used by children): Discord is not a gaming platform but a communication platform used extensively by gaming communities. It has no meaningful age verification, allows servers of any content rating, and has direct messaging between strangers. Discord is the platform most frequently cited in online predator cases involving teenagers. Recommended approach for children under 16: do not allow Discord without significant restrictions. If allowed, review every server your child is in, disable direct messages from non-friends (User Settings > Privacy & Safety), and use parental control software to monitor usage. Consider requiring that Discord only be used in common areas of the home.
In-game scams targeting children: children are frequently targeted by scams within gaming platforms. Common scams include: 'free Robux/V-Bucks' offers that require account credentials (leading to account theft); trading scams where children are convinced to trade valuable in-game items for worthless ones; phishing links sent through in-game chat claiming to offer free items; and 'account verification' scams. Teach children that free in-game currency offers are always scams, that they should never share their account credentials with anyone (including 'Roblox staff'), and that they should come to you before clicking any link sent through a game.
The gaming safety conversation: rather than banning gaming — which is often counterproductive and damages trust — have specific conversations about gaming safety. Establish clear rules: never share your real name, school, location, or age in games; never agree to meet someone you met in a game in person; come to me immediately if anyone in a game makes you uncomfortable or asks personal questions; never share account credentials with anyone. Use parental control tools (Circle Home Plus, router-level controls) to set gaming time limits and bedtime cutoffs. And play games with your children occasionally — it gives you genuine insight into the environment they're in and strengthens your relationship.
Safety 1st Editorial Team
This article is credited to Safety 1st Editorial Team. Safety 1st Consumer Protection has republished this content with attribution.