7 WAYS TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM ONLINE GAMING PREDATORS

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In 2021, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s CyberTipline received more than 29 million reports of suspected child sexual exploitation involving online platforms. Those reports included 84.9 million images and videos of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). 1  During that same year, media use increased to more than 5 hours/day among tweens (ages 9-12) and to more than 8 hours/day among teenagers. 2

I have seventeen grandchildren, aged 7 to 28, and am concerned about the amount of time they spend on screens and their vulnerability to exploitation. In the digital age, online gaming has become a popular activity for children and teens, offering entertainment, social interaction, and even learning opportunities. One of the most alarming risks about this pastime, however, is exposure to online gaming predators, individuals who attempt to develop inappropriate relationships with young players.

It is crucial for parents, educators, and caregivers to educate children about online gaming dangers and how to stay safe.

1. Understand the Risks of Online Gaming
   Online gaming is more than playing games; it often involves socializing, chatting, and exchanging personal information. Predators often use these platforms to disguise their identities and form relationships with children. A study at the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) found that nearly 1 in 5 kids have received a sexual solicitation while online. Children may not always recognize these dangers, so it’s important to explain to them that not everyone they meet in a game is who they say they are. 3
   
   

2. Teach the Importance of Privacy
   One of the easiest ways for predators to target children is through personal information. Online gaming often involves sharing usernames, playing with strangers, and engaging in group chats. It’s crucial to teach children never to share information such as their full name, address, school, phone number, or other identifying details. Encourage them to use anonymous usernames and avoid revealing anything that could make them identifiable to others. 4 Profiles of minors should be set to private; doing so on social media and gaming platforms can mitigate online dangers. Monitoring your child’s friend requests includes making sure your child only accepts connection requests from people they know in real life.
   
   All ten grandchildren who enlightened me about their online gaming experiences denied communicating with people they don’t know, being pressured to provide personal information or pictures of themselves. One has received “bait text” aimed at taking him to “sketchy” websites but said game platforms have blocking and reporting procedures prominently displayed. Tell your kids to never switch from a game to a different platform to chat with someone they don’t personally know.
   
   The following games have communication features which may increase the chances of a child’s being pursued by a predator:

   • Roblox (allows for open chat communication with other players whether a child has accepted a friend request or not)

   • Among Us (doesn’t allow private chatting within the app but there’s a public chat for all players)

   • Minecraft (public multiplayer settings can leave children vulnerable to predators by allowing young players access to the virtual, worldwide chat function)

   • Fortnite (game requires players to be over 12 but children can lie about their age to gain access to play)

   • Call of Duty (children must rely on teammates, some of whom they may not know, to win the game)5
     
     

3. Monitor Gameplay and Communication
   While children should be educated on safe gaming practices, active monitoring is just as important. Parents should regularly check the games their children play and the people they interact with online. Many online games offer parental controls that allow you to limit communication with strangers, restrict access to certain content and websites, and monitor in-game activity. Online gaming platforms frequently enhance their features, security measures, and guidelines. Remain up to date through official sources so you can adjust your safety measures and stay ahead of potential risks. Keeping a close eye on these elements helps ensure that children are not exposed to harmful individuals. 6
   
   

4. Discuss the Signs of Grooming Behavior
   Predators often engage in a process known as grooming, where they gradually build trust with a child before attempting to exploit them. They often lie about their age, depicting a persona slightly older than the child. Some online platforms allow the giving of gifts, rewards, or gift cards, which predators use to engage children. Predators may initiate conversations that become progressively sexual online.
   
   Teach your children to recognize the warning signs of grooming, such as a stranger being overly friendly, asking for personal information, trying to isolate children from their friends, or pressuring them into private conversations. Stress the importance of talking to a trusted adult if anything feels suspicious or uncomfortable. 7
   
   My daughter-in-law, a defense attorney, doesn’t allow her 9-year-old son to play online games. “These games are havens for predators, and I’ve seen in my cases way too many instances where adults are connecting with children either through games or social media,” she said.
   
   The scope of grooming is finally being recognized by lawmakers. Ohio Governor Mike Dewine signed House Bill 322 in early January, which will make the act of an adult forging relationships with minors to either entice or prepare them for sexual activity illegal by April 2025. “The law intends to fill a gap in criminal code, as there are no federal or state laws that could be reliably used to prosecute adults for grooming even when their intention was clear,” according to testimony from the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association.” 8
   
   

5. Encourage Open Communication
   The foundation of online safety begins with open and honest communication between parents and their children. Establish a trusting relationship where your child feels comfortable sharing their online experiences, including the games they play and the people they interact with on gaming platforms. Encourage your children to ask questions and promptly report any worrisome incidents they encounter to you, a teacher, or another trusted adult. Reassure them that their safety is your top priority, and they won’t get into trouble (even if a problem occurs when they violated a safety rule). 7
   
   

6. Set Boundaries for Online Gaming
   This is vital for maintaining a safe environment. Such boundaries can include limiting the amount of time spent gaming, setting rules for acceptable online interactions, determining with whom children can play online, and creating a balanced schedule that incorporates other non-screen activities. Ensure that your kids understand the importance of respecting these boundaries to reduce their exposure to potential predators. 7
   
   

7. Model Safe Online Behavior
   Children often learn by example, so it’s important for parents and caregivers to model responsible online behavior. Practice good habits such as maintaining privacy settings, using secure platforms, and discussing your own experiences with online safety. This will help children understand the importance of digital safety and encourage them to adopt these practices in their own gaming experiences. 9 Be aware that some games use alternate means of communication like signs, chalkboards, and bulletin boards during game play. If you play some of your child’s favorite online games, you can see firsthand whether they are being directed away from gaming platforms during play.

Conclusion

Online gaming can offer many positive experiences, but also comes with risks. Five of my granddaughters play an online fashion game where each player creates an outfit, then many other players vote for the best one. This seems like an ideal platform for baiting youth into fake photo shoots designed to procure new flesh for human trafficking. Although two granddaughters encountered bait messages to sketchy websites on games they’d located on Google or Safari, they have not seen such messages on games downloaded from an app store.

By educating children about the potential threats of gaming predators and teaching them to practice good safety habits, parents and caregivers can empower them to navigate the digital world securely. It’s not just about restricting access but about fostering an environment where children feel equipped to recognize and report potential dangers. (Child sexual abuse material should be reported to CyberTipline online or at 1-800 843-5678. Reports will be forwarded to law enforcement agencies for investigation).

If one child is spared exploitation because a loved one read this article, my mission will have been accomplished. (Further prevention info here— Why Parents are the Cornerstone of Child Assault Prevention).

1 5 Red flags & 5 tips to protect your children online. (2023). Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN).

2 Rideout, R., et al. (2021). Media use by tweens and teens. The Common Sense Media, 1-49.

3 O’Donell, B. (2021). Online enticement of children: risks and prevention. National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

4 Protecting kids’ privacy online (2020). The Federal Trade Commission.

5 Dye, M. (2024). 5+ video games where predators target kids. Gabb Now newsletter.

6 Online gaming safety for parents. (2022). Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (a component of the Department of Homeland Security).

7 Shaver, D. A. (2023). Protecting children online: a military family guide to safe online gaming. Air Force Office of Special Investigations.

8 Kreemer, A. (2025). Dewine signs bill creating criminal charges for ‘grooming.’ Dayton Daily News.
9 Lee, N. (2024). Practical ways to instill responsible online behavior in children. The Arkgroup.