Online games, like social networks, can be used by predators to contact and “groom” children – meaning they form a bond to exploit them. This threat is less common than general bullying but is particularly serious.

Modern games function as social spaces where players chat via text or voice, form teams, and send private messages. Offenders take advantage of this by pretending to be fellow gamers. They might begin with friendly chats in a public game lobby before suggesting moving to a private chat or an external app (like Discord) where there’s less oversight.

Often, they’ll flatter a young player or offer “gifts” – for instance, providing rare in-game items or currency as an incentive for personal information or photos. Because gaming feels like a fun, informal environment, kids might lower their guard.

A 2023 UNICEF report noted that as more children participate in online gaming, some offenders are increasingly using gaming platforms to target youth. The same report found that in some Asian countries, between 1% and 20% of children had experienced online sexual solicitations (mostly on social media, but gaming platforms were involved in several cases).

This doesn’t mean every online game is filled with predators – far from it. But it only takes a few bad actors to cause harm, which is why whānau and tamariki alike need to be aware of grooming tactics and treat unknown contacts with caution.

Money and games can be a troublesome combination. Many online games feature virtual currencies and items that players trade or purchase. Scammers know young gamers might not be as cautious with money and personal data.

In some cases, fraudsters pose as friendly players to trick others into unfair trades or phishing schemes. For example, a scammer might promise a rare skin or power-up if your child “temporarily” lends them their account – only to steal it. According to one study in Denmark, more than one-third (about 36%) of young gamers who traded in-game items or accounts had been scammed in just a one-year period.

Links to “free V-Bucks” or “free Robux” (the currencies for Fortnite and Roblox) circulate widely; clicking these can lead to phishing websites or malware. Cybercriminals sometimes lurk in gaming forums or chat groups, posting links that look like game mods or cheat codes but actually install viruses. Young players eager to get an edge in the game may not realise the danger until their computer is infected or their parents’ credit card is charged.

Beyond financial loss, compromised accounts can expose personal data, creating further security concerns for the whole whānau.

Online games often involve profiles, avatars, and chat – all of which can reveal information. A gamer tag or bio might seem harmless, but tamariki sometimes include their age, real name, or even location without thinking through the consequences.

Some games have features like geographic location tagging or allow users to share images and voice messages. If a player isn’t careful, they could inadvertently share personal details with strangers.

There have also been cases of data breaches in gaming networks, where hackers steal databases of user information. Reusing passwords across sites (which many young people do) can turn a game account breach into a broader identity theft issue.

Moreover, “friends” made in a game might pressure a child into revealing personal information – for example, asking which school they attend or their birthday (common security question data). This overlaps with grooming and scams; it’s all about extracting information that could be misused.

Even voice chat isn’t entirely private – people may overhear background conversations, potentially picking up clues about the player or their environment.