Not Just Child’s Play: What 

Most of us don’t bat an eye if we see young children playing popular video games, whether they’re navigating the blocky landscapes of Roblox or the competitive arenas of Call of Duty. These platforms may seem like harmless digital playgrounds and modern versions of the neighborhood sandlot where kids go to build, compete, and connect.

However, virtual worlds carry risks that are both strikingly similar to, and dangerously different from, social media platforms. Both environments can foster cyberbullying, where anonymity and physical distance make cruelty easy and empathy incredibly difficult. Just as a private moment shared on TikTok can go viral and lead to shame and humiliation, a toxic interaction in a game lobby can subject a child to persistent threats and harassment. In both spaces, the lack of “takebacks” means a digital mistake or a recorded outburst can have permanent, staying power.

While social media often revolves around social exclusion and the anxiety of highlight reels, online gaming introduces a more predatory element. As a recent example, federal authorities are currently investigating over 350 suspects nationwide linked to violent online networks (some referred to as “764”) that specifically target, groom, and harm children through gaming platforms.

Unlike the relatively passive scrolling of social media, gaming is immersive. Predators use this type of sustained engagement to build “genuine” connections, grooming vulnerable youth into producing harmful content or engaging in self-injury. This is not just a subplot in a TV drama or a case of whispered gossip turned viral; it is a coordinated effort by individuals who follow a growing ideology termed Nihilistic Violent Extremism to sow chaos in our children’s lives.

So, how do we protect our children without succumbing to the paralysis of fear? We can build a more resilient community by taking a few meaningful steps:

Prioritize Real Connection: Predators thrive when they can fill a void of belonging. Just as I have suggested co-watching series like Adolescence to spark dialogue, we should engage with our children’s gaming worlds. Ask open-ended questions such as: “If someone you play with online asked you to do something that felt ‘off,’ do you feel like you have the power to walk away from that screen?” or “Who are the friends you trust most in these games, and what makes them different from a stranger who just joins the lobby?

Model Digital Ethics: Help children understand that the screen doesn’t erase accountability. Every message, reaction, and in‑game action reflects who they are becoming, and practicing kindness online is just as important as practicing it at school or at home. 

Create Tech-Free Spaces and Moments: Create device-less spaces and events where kids can practice the awkward, wonderful art of in-person friendship. For families, set aside parts of your household routine, such as mealtimes, rides in the car, and weekend mornings, as intentional device‑free pockets of time. These shared moments deepen trust and remind kids that real-world relationships deserve their full attention.

To the parents reading this: remember that understanding your child’s gaming life begins with curiosity, not fear. Take the time to learn what draws them into these virtual worlds to begin with and then use that insight to guide conversations about safety, boundaries, and trust. I challenge you to sit down with your child this week, not to criticize their play, but to understand it. Ask the hard questions and listen to the answers without judgment. 

And to the young gamers in our community: you have more power than you think! You are the architect of your own digital world, and you get to decide who is allowed in that space. You are more than a high score or a character skin; you are a person with the agency to say “no” to anything that feels inappropriate or harmful. By choosing to play with respect and knowing when to unplug, you take control back from bad actors who do not have your best interest in mind. No matter how much your gaming experience is immersive and lifelike, the things that make you a flesh-and-blood human (for example, your empathy, your curiosity, and your real-world connections) will always be your greatest superpower. W

Dr. Richard Lopez is an assistant professor of psychology and neuroscience at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He studies the impacts of digital media use on emotions and mental health. He and his family live in Rutland.