A new report highlights the issues kids can encounter while gaming. Here's how parents can help.

By

Beth Ann Mayer

Published on May 9, 2026

Fact checked by

Sarah Scott

• Gaming can be fun and educational, but it also comes with risks like online predators and inappropriate content.
• Parents can help kids stay safe by using parental controls, monitoring gameplay, and having open conversations about online safety.
• Playing games together and setting clear boundaries can empower kids to make safer choices and come to you if something feels wrong.

Minecraft, Roblox, and Fortnite are just some of the popular games taking up Gen Alpha's time. One report shows 79% of this generation, born between 2010 and 2024, plays weekly.1 While they are expected to become the biggest generation of players, we can't forget about Gen Z—63% of them prefer video games over watching a movie.2

Essential Facts: About the U.S. Video Game Industry. Entertainment Software Association. 2024.

Gaming is fun, brings joy, and offers social and cognitive benefits.3 But here's the problem: it can also make it easy for online predators to find their targets. In fact, a quarter of young people report being sexually solicited on the internet in return for something of value before turning 18, including on gaming platforms, according to a report from Thorn, a nonprofit organization that builds technology to protect children from sexual abuse.4

"Unfortunately, we see these threats occurring across most platforms,” says Melissa Stroebel, the vice president of research and insights at Thorn. “These are fundamentally social spaces; bad actors target them to connect with young people.”

The report comes despite changes, such as parental controls that popular gaming platform Roblox announced in fall 2024. Stroebel notes that many platforms are trying to moderate content, use proactive technology to detect abuse, and offer more comprehensive reporting features. Yet? “There’s still a lot of work to be done to ensure these platforms are safe for young users,” Stroebel says.

On a positive note, gaming doesn't need to be banned completely. Parents can protect their kids and help them navigate the gaming space in a safe way.

Online Gaming Risks for Kids

Put simply, any platform with a direct message (DM) or public chat feature can pose risks for kids. That includes Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite, Discord, and Twitch. And many children are gaming with strangers online. For example, one Pew Research Study found 59% of boys play with online-only friends.5

“Despite even the best of intentions, game makers and platforms can’t produce a 100% safe environment free of adults looking to take advantage of kids,” says Titania Jordan, the author of Parental Control and the chief parent officer at Bark Technologies, a parental controls app company. “This is because chats happen so quickly and can be moved to other platforms like Snapchat or texting.”

Ron Kerbs, the founder and CEO of Kidas, a company protecting gamers from online threats, is well aware of the risks. As a dad himself, he highlights these issues for kids in particular:

• Addiction or excessive screen time affecting sleep, schoolwork, and social life
• Exposure to inappropriate content (violence, hate speech, and sexual material)
• Scams and phishing attempts, like in-game items that steal information
• Privacy violations, such as sharing personal details without realizing the risks

When it comes to predators, Kerbs points out that they will take time to build trust with kids to make them feel more comfortable enough to share information.

How To Help Kids Navigate Gaming Risks

Parents cannot control everything. However, taking some proactive steps to educate kids, set boundaries around gaming, and monitor content can go a long way.

Use safety tools

Parents can install parental control apps to help kids stay safe. For instance, Kidas monitors in-game text and voice communication and alerts parents of potential threats and predatory behavior. Tools like these are a good idea as a recent report from Prodigy Education found 57% of kids aren't prepared to handle inappropriate online contact, according to their parents.6

Be open about risks

Discussing sexual solicitation online can feel uncomfortable, but Jordan shares that it’s important to be open about it. Preemptively work with kids on problem-solving. Jordan suggests asking a child questions like:

• What would you do if a stranger on Roblox offered to give you Robux in exchange for a picture of yourself?
• Do you think everyone on chat apps is who they say they are?
• How do you know that people are who they say they are?

Establish yourself as a safe space

During these conversations, Jordan suggests explaining to kids that they can always come to you with issues they are having. You might say, “I’m always here to protect you and will always be on your side. No matter what happens, I love you, and we’ll tackle everything together.”

"If a child knows that their parent won’t get mad at them, they’re far more likely to explain when they’re in danger,” Jordan says. “And remember, when an adult takes advantage of a child, it’s never the child’s fault.”

Play alongside your child

Roll up your sleeves and break out your thumbs for an e-game night. Laura Ordoñez, Common Sense Media's executive editor, says playing alongside your child gives you a firmer grasp on the gaming environment, and note any red flags.

"During gameplay, you might notice chat messages appearing from strangers or invitations to join private servers," Ordoñez. "This allows you to naturally discuss these interactions. This conversation feels less like an interrogation and gives you insight into how your child handles these situations, alongside your child, to understand the gaming environment.”

Use parental controls openly

Be open with your kids about the parental controls you’re setting, and invite them to give their input.

“Rather than secretly restricting Fortnite's chat features, sit with your kid and say, ‘Let's look at these privacy settings together. What do you think is most important to stay safe? Which settings might help with this?’” Ordoñez says. "When kids understand the purpose behind safety settings and are involved in setting them up, they're less likely to view them as restrictions to get around and more likely to see them as protection they've helped create.”

Common Sense Media has family tech planners to help.

Create a safety plan together

Working on a safety plan together can empower kids to speak up for themselves and come to you.

“Know how to use platform reporting tools, and talk to your kids about how to block/report users if anyone asks for personal information or makes them feel uncomfortable,” she suggests.

Stroebel says exploring these tools and settings together and practicing what the child should do when something feels wrong can help.

“That way, if a situation ever arises, even if they don’t know exactly where to go and how to act, they’ll feel empowered, not panicked," Stroebel says.

Related Stories

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Report Finds 1 in 3 Boys Between Ages 9-12 Experience Online Sexual Interactions

Signs Your Kid Is Having Issues with Gaming

Despite your best efforts, solicitation and bullying via gaming platforms may still occur. Parents can serve as crucial protectors by understanding the signs their kids are being bullied or sexually exploited and what to do.

Catherine Atkinson-Greenhaw, LPC, a licensed professional counselor specializing in coping skills and family dynamics with Thriveworks, says signs that a young person is being sexually solicited online include:

• Sudden behavior changes (extreme mood swings, anxiety, withdrawal, keeping secrets)
• Exhibiting more sexual behavior
• Breaking rules like not following curfew or sneaking out
• Fear or discomfort around adults
• Relationships with older kids
• Getting money or expensive items out of nowhere

Common signs your teen may be getting bullied via a gaming or gaming-adjacent platform are:7

• Anxiety after getting off the device
• Extreme mood changes, like sadness or anger
• Not wanting to discuss online activity or who they’re talking with

If you’re concerned, Atkinson-Greenhaw recommends avoiding panic or blaming the child, but acting immediately.

“Reassure the child that it is not their fault and that you are glad you found out/proud of them for coming forward,” Atkinson-Greenhaw says. “For your child's protection, it can be important to document everything and ask for screenshots or any other evidence that bullying or sexual solicitation occurred.”

It's also important to ensure privacy settings are set up correctly, and contact with the bully or abuser is restricted. When necessary, parents should also report abuse to the police department.

Remember, Gaming Isn’t Always Bad for Kids

Gaming isn’t entirely bad, and parents don’t have to ban it for kids who use the platforms responsibly.

“It has served to help connect kids in times when they can’t hang out in person, especially during the pandemic,” Jordan shares. “It also teaches collaboration, patience, and can even expose kids to new ideas and worlds."

It may even get them into college. Kerbs points out that schools across the country have esports leagues that are growing in popularity and can lead to kids getting scholarships for their higher education. It's just important to focus on moderation and information.

“Create clear gaming schedules and set time limits,” Kerbs recommends. “However, it’s also important to stay flexible. Some days, a longer session with friends is fine, while on others it might need to be cut short.”

Jordan suggests trying to help your child understand that when sleep, behavior, physical activity, and relationships decline because of video game time, it’s a sign they’ll need some help regulating—something that happens to all humans for various reasons, including gaming.

And you’re there to help—even if reduced gaming time may temporarily hurt.