Online Gaming Safety Tips to Keep Your Child Safe from Strangers

Online games are where many kids spend their free time—and they are also where strangers can quietly reach children. Voice chat, private messages, and friend requests turn a fun game into a space parents cannot always see. The good news? A few simple settings and honest conversations make a real difference.

Most gaming “friends” are strangers. Kids often treat the players they meet in a game like real friends. But people online are not always who they say they are. A friendly player may be lying about their age, their name, and their reasons for talking to a child.

Turn off or limit voice chat. Many games let players talk directly. For younger children, disable voice chat or set it to “friends only.” Some games allow a disguised voice—use that option whenever you can.

Keep personal details private. Real name, age, city, and school do not belong in an online profile. Usernames should stay vague, and an avatar is safer than a real photo.

Restrict chat to people your child actually knows. Most platforms let parents limit private messaging, gifting, and content sharing to “friends only.” Private messages and gift features are the riskiest parts of any game—turn them off where possible.

Watch for gifts, secrets, and pressure. Adults who groom children online often give gifts, ask for private information, or push the child to keep a secret. Teach your child to come to you if anyone asks them to hide an interaction, move to a more private app, or share something sensitive.

Gaming should be fun and safe. With the right settings, supervision, and open conversation, it can be both. These points are drawn in part from advice offered by eSafety Australia.

Source: eSafety Australia – Playing games with others

If someone is making your child uncomfortable online, report it. You do not have to handle it alone. Report a predator here and help protect other families.