Warning Parents: Online Predators Are Targeting Children Through Gaming Platforms

For today’s children, online gaming platforms like Roblox are more than just games. They are social spaces where friendships are formed, creativity is encouraged, and interaction feels limitless. But behind the colorful avatars and friendly chat bubbles, predators are waiting for opportunities to exploit young users. Having worked multiple sex offense related cases in the private sector, and supporting law enforcement through our cyber forensics work, Preventative Measures Investigations (PMI) has seen first-hand how predators use these platforms to target children.

The tactic is rarely sudden or obvious. Predators often disguise themselves as other children or friendly players. They build trust slowly, offering in-game rewards, compliments, or simply a listening ear. Over time, these conversations move away from the safety of the game into private chat platforms, where grooming escalates. The goal is to isolate the child, manipulate their emotions, and in some cases, coerce them into sharing images or personal information.

This is not a theoretical risk. PMI has documented and analyzed digital evidence in cases where predators used online games to initiate contact with children. Chat logs, screenshots, and even hidden metadata have helped investigators and law enforcement piece together these crimes. The problem is real, and it is happening far more often than most parents realize.

Parents must understand that the built-in safety tools on gaming platforms are not enough. Filters can be bypassed, privacy settings ignored, and conversations shifted to outside apps. Vigilance is the most effective defense. Know who your child is playing with. Check their friend lists. Discuss the dangers of sharing personal details or engaging with strangers online. Most importantly, maintain open communication so your child feels comfortable reporting suspicious behavior. A good practice is to disable the messaging function in these apps entirely. On Roblox, for example, this can be done in the parental controls section, limiting who can contact your child and reducing the risk of predators initiating conversations.

Warning signs can include sudden secrecy about online activities, defensiveness when asked about new friends, unexplained gifts or in-game currency, and a child appearing anxious or upset after gaming sessions. These changes should never be ignored.

At PMI, we are committed to protecting the vulnerable. Through cyber forensics, we help law enforcement track predators, preserve evidence, and build strong cases that hold offenders accountable. But prevention starts at home. By staying alert and involved, parents can create a safer digital environment for their children.

Predators are adapting to the digital age. Parents must adapt too. Awareness, vigilance, and proactive monitoring are not just recommended, they are necessary to keep children safe online.