Cyber Threats Lurk in Kids' Gaming: What Parents Should Know

Video games have long been popular with teenagers, but gaming has become an increasingly dominant part of childhood, with younger kids now gaming more than ever. While gaming offers many benefits, it also comes with genuine risks; understanding these risks can help families set appropriate boundaries and keep kids safe while still enjoying what games have to offer.

The latest Common Sense Census: Media Use by Kids Zero to Eight shows that gaming time has increased by 65% since 2020, with children age 8 and under now playing for an average of 38 minutes per day. And it makes sense: Video games have many real benefits for kids, like helping support creativity and even boost cognitive performance. But as parents and educators navigate this evolving digital landscape, it's important to understand the real risks found in "sandbox" games—open-world games where players can freely explore, create, and interact with others, like Fortnite, Roblox, and Minecraft. Awareness of these risks helps keep both children and the whole family safe, whether they're online or offline.

Like real playgrounds, online games need rules and oversight to protect kids and keep them safe. Modern gaming accounts often collect valuable personal information, saved payment methods, and digital items worth real money. This makes them attractive targets for cybercriminals, leading to financial loss, identity theft, and danger for young gamers.

Go Phishing

Gaming platforms have created their own economies using virtual currencies like V-Bucks (Fortnite), Robux (Roblox), and Minecoins (Minecraft). While these might seem like play money to kids, they have actual cash value and attract sophisticated criminals. In one instance, a user lost over $2 million worth of in-app purchases after their account was hacked. While this is an extreme example, even unexpectedly losing $50 can be tough, and victims aren't likely to recoup much of their losses, if any.

When hackers launch phishing attacks—which are deceptive attempts to steal personal information by pretending to be trustworthy sources—their goal is to trick players into clicking dangerous links or downloading harmful attachments. Kids are often targeted with fake links promising free in-game rewards, rare items, or cheat codes that instead lead to websites that steal account information. For example, scammers create fake sites or apps that claim to offer free or heavily discounted V-Bucks, Robux, or other gaming currencies. When players enter their account details, scammers steal their login credentials.

Once hackers gain access to an account, they typically follow a common pattern to profit from this theft. They usually start by making unauthorized purchases with any payment methods saved to the account, often buying expensive items or large amounts of in-game currency. These stolen virtual items are quickly transferred to other accounts under their control, making them harder to recover. The criminals then convert these stolen goods into real money by selling virtual items or entire compromised accounts on third-party marketplaces. Finally, they may use the hacked account to send messages to a player's friend list, attempting to spread their scams to more players.

Think your kids' account may have gotten hacked? Read our tips on what to do next.

Dangerous Downloads

Recent investigations have shown that cybercriminals use platforms like YouTube or GitHub to spread malware—software designed to damage or steal data from computers—disguised as "game mods" (modifications that change or enhance games). These malicious programs are designed to steal passwords, payment information, and personal data, often targeting more than just gaming accounts. Kids and teens are particularly vulnerable to this because they often lack experience in identifying online scams. The promise of features like "Aimbots" (to improve shooting accuracy) or "Anti-Ban" systems (to avoid getting caught by game administrators) makes these fake downloads even more tempting. Scammers exploit kids' curiosity and eagerness, as they're more likely than adults to take risks without thinking, to trick them into downloading harmful software onto personal or family devices.

Since children often use their parents' credit cards for in-game purchases, cybercriminals target them to obtain payment details or personal data that can be exploited to commit fraud or can be sold on the dark web. The connected nature of today's gaming creates additional security risks. Many players reuse passwords across multiple platforms, or link their gaming accounts to social media, which means a single breach can potentially give hackers access to multiple accounts. In 2023, hackers used a type of malware called SpyNote to target Roblox players by disguising it as a game mod. Once installed, this malware could secretly track everything typed on the keyboard, record the screen, and access the device's camera. It could even mimic official Google and Facebook apps to deceive users into revealing their passwords.

When Online Dangers Go Offline

One of the most serious risks in online gaming goes beyond in-game scams or hacked accounts—it's the possibility of children interacting with predators who use these platforms to target young users. Online multiplayer games allow kids to chat with friends and strangers. And while most of these players may be harmless, some have far more dangerous intentions.

Predators build trust by connecting with kids through games, and then move kids to less moderated apps. This tactic, known as grooming, is designed to isolate young users from trusted adults. In some cases, this escalates to sextortion, where predators pressure kids into sharing personal information or explicit images by using threats and manipulation, and then demand payment to keep from sharing this content with others. These risks aren't just hypothetical—the anonymity of gaming platforms makes it easier for predators to blend in. And because these conversations often happen outside of parental supervision, kids may not recognize red flags until they're already in a dangerous situation that can lead to tragic outcomes.

While these risks are real and important to recognize, they shouldn't prevent kids and families from enjoying gaming and online interactions altogether. Knowledge truly is power, and education is your best defense against potential dangers. By staying informed, setting boundaries, and communicating openly, families can confidently navigate digital spaces—ensuring that the fun continues without compromising safety.

How Kids and Parents Can Stay Safe

For Kids: Protect Your Gaming Experience

• Never share login details: If someone claiming to be from a game company asks for your password, it's almost certainly a scam. Even if the request looks legit, real developers have alternative verification methods that don't involve you sharing your password.
• Avoid "too good to be true" deals: Free currency generators and hacks are almost always scams. When in doubt, take nine seconds to think before clicking.
• Stick to official stores and downloads: Only download games, mods, and software from official websites or app stores.
• Report suspicious behavior: If someone asks for personal information or tries to lure you to an outside website, report them through the game's official moderation tools (Roblox, Fortnite, Minecraft) and tell a trusted adult.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Many gaming platforms offer this extra layer of security—like requiring a code from a cellphone—to prevent unauthorized access.

For Parents: Keep Your Child's Gaming Safe

• Use parental controls: Many platforms offer settings to limit in-game purchases, prevent interactions with strangers, and even filter out inappropriate language in chat.
• Monitor purchases and account activity: Keep an eye on in-game transactions to prevent unauthorized spending.
• Build digital literacy: Help your child think critically about what they see. Discuss why some content is inappropriate, and how to spot warning signs.
• Review games together: Check the games your child has recently played and talk about any content that doesn't seem age-appropriate. Our family tech planners can help inspire conversations about what kinds of games, devices, and sites are appropriate.
• Encourage open communication: Let your kid know they can talk with you about anything uncomfortable that they experience. (It may help to reassure them that you won't stop them from playing altogether.)
• Teach kids to spot red flags: Explain to your child that if someone asks to chat on another app or platform, or if they request personal details, these are red flags. Helping your child understand why we don't share personal information like full names, school details, or phone numbers can keep everyone safe.
• Take control of your family's digital security: Get step-by-step guidance and personalized recommendations from our friends at Consumer Reports to secure your online accounts, devices, and personal information, helping you reduce cyber risks and strengthen your digital safety.

Ready to dive deeper? Check out our Parents' Ultimate Guides on Roblox, Fortnite, and Minecraft to learn more about these popular online games.

Share your story. If your family has had an experience involving hacking, phishing, or other cyber crimes that you are comfortable sharing with us, please fill out this form or send us a note at [email protected]. These stories help us in our work to make the internet and online gaming safer and healthier for all kids.