Safe Online Gaming: How to Protect Kids from Strangers in Multiplayer Games
Online games are where many kids spend their free time — and where online predators quietly work. Chat-enabled multiplayer games let strangers reach children directly. A 2026 Norton report found that more than half of parents whose kids play chat-enabled games said their child had talked to a stranger. Nearly three in ten said that stranger pushed them to continue the conversation on another platform. That move off the game and onto a private app is one of the most common early steps in grooming.
Gaming does not have to be dangerous. With a few consistent rules, parents can keep the fun while cutting the risk.
Keep devices in shared spaces. When the console or tablet lives in a common area, it is easier to notice what is happening. It also makes chatting about games a natural part of family life.
Ask kids to check before any download. Review new games and apps together with resources like Common Sense Media and ESRB before anything gets installed.
Stress that real information stays private. Full name, school, address, phone number, and location should never be shared online. Go through privacy settings together so kids understand who can see their profile.
Keep the conversation going. Make grooming, scams, and uncomfortable requests a normal topic at home, not a one-time lecture. Kids are far more likely to come to you if they already know you will listen without judgment.
Explain the big red flag: any adult who asks a child to keep secrets, move to another app, or send photos is not a friend. That is grooming, and it should be reported.
If something feels wrong, trust the instinct and take action. No child deserves to carry a confusing secret alone.
Source: National Cybersecurity Alliance — Family Tech Rules We Think You Should Consider
If an adult has contacted your child online, report it and get help. Use the Report a Predator tool to submit information safely, or install our Report a Pedophile browser plugin to stay aware as you browse.