Beware of Child Predators Behind Popular Games: Tips for Safe Play on Roblox, Minecraft, and Fortnite
Generation Alpha (born 2010–2024) is finding new worlds to explore in games such as Minecraft, Roblox, and Fortnite. Data show that 79% of this generation plays games weekly. Unfortunately, this playful digital space is also exploited by criminals seeking to target children.
A report from the non-profit Thorn reveals that a quarter of under-18s have experienced online sexual harassment or solicitation to obtain something valuable on a game platform. ‘Unfortunately we see this threat across most platforms,’ said Melissa Stroebel, Vice President of Research & Insights at Thorn, to CNN. ‘This is a social space; offenders target it to connect with young people.’ Although platforms like Roblox have updated parental controls, Stroebel stresses that there is still a lot of work to be done.
All platforms that offer direct messaging (DM) or public chat—such as Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite, Discord, and Twitch—carry their own risks. Moreover, many children play with strangers they only know online. Titania Jordan, Chief Parent Officer at Bark Technologies, notes that game developers cannot guarantee a 100% safe environment. ‘Conversations happen very quickly and can spill over to other platforms like Snapchat or SMS,’ she says.
Beyond predator threats, Ron Kerbs, CEO of Kidas, warns of other risks including addiction, exposure to inappropriate content, phishing, and privacy breaches.
Total restriction of children is not the best solution, as gaming also offers social and cognitive benefits. Parents can take proactive steps as follows: According to family counsellor Catherine Atkinson-Greenhaw, parents should be vigilant if children show drastic behavioural changes such as sudden mood swings, withdrawal, or changes in sleep patterns. If these signs appear, document evidence (screenshots), limit contact with the offender, and report to authorities if required. With proper supervision, gaming can remain a healthy means of learning and socialising for children.
Mark Zuckerberg ultimately testified before a jury regarding a lawsuit about social media addiction. Internal documents reveal millions of under-18s having free access to Instagram.