Online gaming is incredibly popular: there are about three billion online gamers in the world. However, there are hidden dangers associated with online gaming, especially regarding your children.

Luckily, Bay Area lawyer Jeffrey Nadrich is actively pursuing cases against gaming platforms over claims of gaming addiction and gaming platforms putting minors at risk for sexual grooming and sexual abuse.While online games can offer entertainment and social connection, they also come with risks that many parents don’t always realize. From addictive design tactics to unmoderated chat features that expose children to predators, these platforms often fail to prioritize the safety of our children. As a result, parents across the country are taking a stand against companies that profit at the expense of children’s mental health and safety.

Keeping Your Children Safe From Online Predators

Predators have used gaming platforms to target and groom children. For example, Roblox lawsuits have been filed in response to Roblox’s alleged failure to do enough to prevent abuse.In October 2024, Hindenburg Research released a report which labeled Roblox a “pedophile hellscape.” The report included accusations such as:

• Children were exposed to grooming, violent content and abusive speech on the platform
• Roblox compromised the safety of children in order to be able to report to its investors that it had grown
• Predators were allowed to target children by Roblox’s social media without any screening

Tips for protecting your children from online predators include:

• Discuss safety with kids before they go online. Set guidelines, teach your kids to identify red flags, and encourage your kids to communicate openly with you.
• Supervise internet use by young children. Check their posts and profiles periodically. Keep devices in places of the home where you can see them.
• Review games before they get downloaded or your children play them. Pay close attention to games featuring direct messaging or video chats.
• Use parental controls and adjust privacy settings for online games.
• Tell your kids not to share videos, photos or personal information in online games with anyone they don’t know in real life.
• Encourage your kids to tell you if they’re asked by anyone to engage in inappropriate behavior.

Keeping Your Kids Safe From Gaming Addiction

Video games can be very fun, but they can also be addicting. Lawsuits are now being filed, accusing gaming companies of intentionally making their games as addictive as possible, leading to terrible consequences for children, including depression and suicide attempts.Tips for helping your children fight addiction to video games include:Set limits for gaming: Agree, as a family, upon where and when your children can play video games. It’s a personal decision to determine how much screen time your children should have. However, it is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics that tweens and teens get no more than two hours per day of entertainment screen time. You can also set limits by requiring permission to download or purchase new games.Manage your kids’ gaming time: You can choose to not allow gaming devices in your kids’ bedrooms. You should tell your kids that they’re only allowed to play games after completing responsibilities like homework. Parental controls are also available on gaming devices which can let you set limits regarding screen time.Encourage other hobbies and interests: Gaming addiction is often the result of boredom or feeling alone. So, encourage your kids to participate in things like music, reading, arts and crafts, or sports. This can prevent video game addiction as well as help your kids make friends and build social skills, self-esteem and confidence.Make sure there are consequences for breaking rules: Once you’ve established rules for video gaming, you should expect your children to at least occasionally break them. Set appropriate, realistic consequences for breaking the rules, and be sure to enforce them when necessary. Consult with a mental health pro: If everything you’ve tried isn’t working and your child is still addicted to video games, seeking professional help may be on the table. You may be able to determine the best options by consulting with an addiction or behavior therapist, or your kid’s guidance counselor.

Prioritize Protecting Your Child

The reality is that online gaming is here to stay, and it comes with clear dangers. From addiction to grooming, today’s digital playgrounds can be dangerous if you aren’t mindful. As lawsuits continue to expose the harmful practices of gaming companies, parents must stay informed and proactive when it comes to protecting their kids.