the Prevention Project

🎮 Predators don't need to meet children in person—they often meet them online first.

Gaming platforms can provide opportunities for predators to:

• Build trust over time
• Offer gifts or in-game rewards
• Move conversations to private messaging apps
• Normalize inappropriate conversations
• Isolate children from trusted adults

Grooming often happens gradually, making it difficult for young people to recognize what's happening.

The best defense is open conversations, healthy boundaries, and informed parents.

Stay tuned as we continue our Gaming Safety Series.

🎮 Gaming isn't just entertainment anymore, it’s designed to keep kids playing.

Many modern video games use rewards, notifications, daily challenges, and endless progression systems to encourage players to stay online longer. While these features can be fun, they also create more opportunities for strangers and predators to interact with young players.

Traffickers don't only target youth on social media, they also use online gaming platforms to build trust, groom, and exploit children, especially boys.
The more time kids spend connected online, the more important it is for parents and caregivers to understand how these platforms work.
This month we're sharing practical tips to help families create safer gaming habits.

Follow along for our Gaming Safety Series.