What do we look for when choosing a video game for our children, nephews, or grandchildren? Probably that it’s not violent, that it’s age-appropriate, and that it encourages creativity. However, we rarely stop to consider a key question: who can young children interact with while they play? Many video games allow direct communication with other players, and this connection can include both children and unknown adults.

Platforms like Roblox and video games like Minecraft , Fortnite , Among Us , and Call of Duty have become staples of digital entertainment for children and teenagers. Beyond their visual appeal and gameplay, they all share a feature that often goes unnoticed by many families: they allow direct communication between players through text or voice chat .

This feature, designed to encourage interaction and teamwork, also opens the door for minors to connect with strangers without filters or supervision. What begins as a seemingly harmless game can escalate into risky situations, especially when responsible adults are unaware of the full potential of these communication tools.

Accessible by default

In video game chat rooms, any user can send messages or start private conversations, as many games allow free communication by default. This unfiltered access makes it easy for unknown adults to contact minors.

This type of contact can lead to what is known as grooming , a crime in which an adult contacts a minor electronically “with the aim of involving them in any sexual activity . ” Video game chat rooms have become a particularly vulnerable channel for this phenomenon because minors often let their guard down, thinking they are “just playing” and unaware that they could be in contact with someone with dangerous intentions.

Unlike other forms of online sexual abuse, which can be more direct—such as sending child pornography, sextortion, or immediate explicit sexual contact—grooming is a gradual process of manipulation. In Spain, Save the Children conducted an analysis of online grooming in 2023 as part of its report, ” For a Justice System Fit for Children ,” which reviewed nearly 400 court rulings, 33 of which specifically addressed cases of grooming or sexual abuse via the internet.

The report revealed that the victims were mostly girls (57.4%), with an average age of 13, while the perpetrators were primarily young men with no prior criminal record. The modus operandi included deception, coercion, and corruption, and in 90% of cases, a physical meeting was proposed.

In Europe, the European Online Grooming Project identified similar patterns in Belgium, Italy, Norway, and the United Kingdom. Furthermore, it was observed that between 19% and 23% of adolescents had received sexual solicitations from adults online, with the highest prevalence in the United Kingdom and Nordic countries, followed by Spain and Italy.

Common risk factors include intensive use of social media and video games, profiles with sexual connotations, and low risk perception in men.

The trend is growing, and experts emphasize the importance of prevention and digital literacy for families. In fact, the Health Promotion Committee of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics has issued a specific alert about the risks associated with chat rooms on the Roblox platform. Pediatricians warn that, in some cases, this exposure has been linked to self-harm, access to sexually explicit material, anxiety, mood disorders, and significant changes in children’s behavior.

What can families do?

Prevention begins with information. It is essential that parents and responsible adults understand the features of the games children use. Before granting access to online video games, it is crucial to learn about the games that interest them most, especially if they include chat features and how they are managed.

We must properly configure parental controls. Monitoring both playtime and games helps detect potential risks and allows us to share our experiences. Fostering communication and trust at home is key so that children feel comfortable discussing any uncomfortable or suspicious situations. Finally, we must educate them on the responsible use of the internet, reminding them of the importance of not sharing personal information or accepting invitations from strangers. This will strengthen their safety and independence in the digital environment.

Video games can be a source of fun, learning, and socialization, but they also harbor risks that shouldn’t be underestimated. Integrated chat , present in most online games , provides a direct and unfiltered communication channel between our children’s rooms and anyone in the world. As adults, our responsibility is to stay informed, supervise, and educate so that gaming remains safe. Let’s prevent this communication channel from becoming a tool for victimization.

Author Bio: María Verónica Jimeno Jiménez is Full Professor of Victimology, Social Psychology area at the University of Castilla-La Mancha