How to safeguard your child on online gaming platforms.

Online gaming platforms like Roblox, Fortnite, and Minecraft have become a central part of many children’s lives. These platforms provide entertainment, creativity, and opportunities for social interaction. However, they also present risks, particularly the threat of grooming, where predators exploit these environments to build relationships with children for harmful purposes.

As a parent, it's crucial to understand those risks and take proactive steps to safeguard your children. This guide provides insights into the dangers of grooming on online gaming platforms and outlines practical measures you can take to protect your child.

Understanding Grooming in Online Games

Grooming refers to the process by which predators manipulate and gain the trust of children to exploit them emotionally, sexually, or otherwise. Online gaming platforms can make it easier for predators to connect with children due to:

• Anonymity: Predators can hide behind usernames, avatars, or fake profiles.

• Chat Functions: Many games include messaging features that allow players to communicate freely, often without oversight.

• Shared Interests: Predators exploit shared gaming interests to start conversations and build relationships, making it easier to manipulate children.

• Game Mechanics: Multiplayer features, friend requests, and virtual worlds create opportunities for interactions that can feel like genuine friendships to young gamers.

Warning Signs of Grooming

It can be challenging to detect grooming, especially in its early stages, as predators often take time to build trust. However, parents can watch for some red flags:

• Excessive Gaming with One Person: If your child consistently plays with the same individual and becomes secretive about their gaming interactions, it may be a cause for concern.

• Unexplained Gifts: Predators sometimes send virtual or real-life gifts to children, such as in-game currency or expensive items.

• Sudden Behavioural Changes: If your child becomes withdrawn, anxious, or unusually secretive about their online activities, it could indicate that something is wrong.

• Private Messaging: Groomers often ask children to take their conversations to private chats, away from public game spaces.

How to Protect Your Child

Educate Your Child About Online Dangers:

• Explain in age-appropriate language that not everyone online is who they say they are. Encourage open communication about who they interact with and what they do in the games.

• Teach your child to never share personal information (like their real name, location, school, or photos) with anyone online.

Understand the Platforms:

• Get familiar with the games your child plays. Most platforms, such as Roblox, have settings that allow you to control who can communicate with your child, join games, or send friend requests.

• Take time to learn the chat functions and whether they allow private or unmonitored conversations.

Use Parental Controls:

• Roblox and other platforms provide parental controls to limit who can contact your child, restrict access to age-inappropriate content, and monitor your child’s in-game interactions.

• Some games also offer chat filters that block inappropriate language and personal information from being shared.

• Set time limits to help manage how long your child spends on these platforms.

Monitor Your Child's Gaming Activities:

• Regularly check in on your child’s gaming habits. Ask questions about who they are playing with, and ensure you have visibility on the friends list.

• Keep gaming devices in a common area, such as the living room, so you can casually observe interactions.

Encourage Open Communication:

• Create an environment where your child feels comfortable discussing their online experiences. Let them know they can approach you without fear of punishment if they encounter something upsetting or inappropriate.

• Discuss healthy online boundaries and encourage your child to tell you if someone makes them feel uncomfortable or asks them to keep secrets.

Report Suspicious Behaviour:

• Most online platforms, including Roblox, offer reporting tools to flag inappropriate behaviour or accounts. Teach your child how to use these tools and report anyone who makes them uncomfortable.

• Report any incidents of grooming or inappropriate interactions to the game administrators and, if necessary, to local authorities.

Platforms with Safeguarding Features

Several online gaming platforms have built-in safety features that you should take advantage of. Here’s how some of the most popular platforms handle safety:

Roblox:

• Roblox has privacy settings that allow you to restrict who can interact with your child, whether through chats or in-game messages. Additionally, the platform uses human and AI moderators to review content and interactions.

Minecraft:

• Minecraft allows parents to create child accounts with limitations on who can join their multiplayer sessions and communicate with them. You can also set restrictions on in-game purchases and screen time.

Fortnite:

• Fortnite offers parental controls that allow you to turn off voice chat, restrict purchases, and

• manage friend requests.

Final Thoughts

The digital world is full of opportunities for creativity and learning, but it’s also a space where dangers like grooming can emerge. As a parent, taking proactive steps to safeguard your child while allowing them to enjoy their favourite games is crucial. By staying informed, maintaining open communication, and using the available tools, you can help ensure your child’s online gaming experience is fun and safe.

Remember, the key is not to restrict your child entirely but to guide them in making smart and safe decisions in the digital space.

Supporting Children's Wellbeing Together

If you feel you would like further support or advice, there are essential services for children, like NSPCC, YoungMinds and Barnardo's ensure their safety and mental health.