How Online Predators Use Kids’ Games to Groom Children — and What to Watch For
Online games are where predators now start. Roblox, Fortnite, and Minecraft are built around chat, friend lists, and in-game gifts. Those same features make them a quiet hunting ground. Week after week, new reports describe children being contacted by strangers inside a game they thought was safe.
Grooming in games usually follows a pattern. A stranger plays alongside your child, offers help, and praises how well they play. They send gifts, like Robux or V-Bucks, to build trust. Then they ask to move the conversation to a private app, such as Discord or Snapchat. Once there, no one is moderating. Requests for photos, or for keeping a “secret,” often follow.
The move off the game is the moment to pay attention. It is one of the clearest warning signs a child may be at risk. Experts also watch for new secrecy, unexpected gifts, and a device suddenly moving into a bedroom.
You do not have to ban gaming to keep a child safe. Small steps help most: disable or limit chat, keep devices in shared spaces, review the friend list, and talk openly about who your child plays with. Make yourself the safe person they come to if something feels wrong. If you suspect grooming, do not delete messages — save evidence and report it.
Read the full guide from the safety experts at LearnSafe: Grooming in Kids’ Games: What’s New, What It Looks Like, and How to Stop It.
If you believe a child is being targeted online, report it today. Nothing is more important than protecting a child.