TL;DR: The biggest red flag in modern gaming isn't what happens inside the game—it’s the attempt to leave it. Predators use "off-platforming" to move kids from moderated spaces like Roblox or Minecraft to unmoderated ones like Discord or Snapchat. If someone offers your kid "free Robux" or "rare skins" in exchange for moving to a private chat, that is a 10/10 emergency.
Check out our full guide on Roblox safety settings
Learn how to talk to your kids about "Stranger Danger 2.0"
Is Discord safe for 10-year-olds?
If you’ve spent any time looking over your kid's shoulder while they play Roblox, you’ve probably noticed the "####" symbols in the chat. That’s Roblox’s aggressive filtering system—affectionately known as "tagging"—doing its job. It blocks phone numbers, addresses, and most "Ohio" (weird/bad) language.
For a predator, those hashtags are a massive wall. They can’t ask for a photo, they can’t share a link, and they can’t easily manipulate a child when a bot is constantly bleeping out their grooming attempts.
This is why the primary tactic today is the Platform Jump.
The goal is to move the child from a "High-Moderation" environment to a "Low-Moderation" environment. They want to get your kid off the playground and into a private room. In the digital world, that private room is Discord, Snapchat, or Instagram.
Predators don't show up looking like villains in a cartoon. They show up as "generous older gamers" or "pro players" who want to help your kid level up. Here are the specific tactical red flags every parent needs to recognize.
1. In-Game Gifting (The "Sugar Daddy" Tactic)
In games like Fortnite or Roblox, digital currency and "skins" (outfits for characters) are social status. A predator will offer to buy your child a high-value item or send them Robux.
- The Hook: "I have extra credits, I’ll give you some for free."
- The Catch: Once the gift is accepted, the predator creates a "debt" or a "special friendship" that they use as leverage later.
2. Moving to "Better Chat"
This is the most dangerous red flag. The predator will complain about the game’s chat filters.
- The Hook: "This chat is so annoying, it keeps tagging everything. Do you have Discord? Add me there so we can talk for real."
- The Reality: On Discord, there are no automatic filters for phone numbers or images unless you specifically set them up. It allows for voice calls, video calls, and file sharing—tools a predator needs to escalate the relationship.
3. Creating "Us vs. Them"
Predators work to isolate kids from their parents by framing the parent as the "fun police."
- The Hook: "Your parents wouldn't get why this game is cool. They’re just worried about nothing. Let’s keep our pro-strats a secret between us."
- The Reality: If a digital "friend" ever asks a child to keep a secret from their parents, it is a definitive sign of grooming.
Ask our chatbot for a list of "Red Flag Phrases" to teach your kids
Not all platforms are created equal. Here is how the "jump" usually flows:
Role: The Fishing Hole. With over 70 million daily users, many of them under 13, this is where predators find their targets. They hang out in popular "hangout" games or roleplay servers where social interaction is the main point of the game.
Role: The Private Room. Discord is an incredible tool for gamers, but it’s built for adults. Its privacy features make it a black hole for parental supervision. If your 10-year-old is on Discord talking to "friends from Roblox," you need to be very concerned. Read our deep dive: Is Discord safe for my child?
Role: The Proof. Predators use Snapchat because messages disappear. They will ask for "face reveals" or photos to "prove" the kid isn't a "fake." Once a photo is sent, it becomes blackmail material (sextortion). Understand the risks of Snapchat for middle schoolers
The way you talk about this depends on whether your kid is still watching Bluey or if they’re deep into Call of Duty.
Ages 7-10 (The "Golden Rule" Phase)
At this age, kids are literal. They think a predator looks like a "bad guy."
- The Rule: "We only play games with people we know in real life."
- The Script: "If anyone in Minecraft asks for your name, your age, or wants to talk on a different app, that’s a 'broken rule' person. Come tell me immediately, and you won't be in trouble."
Ages 11-14 (The "Social" Phase)
This is the highest-risk group. They want to be independent and they think they’re too smart to be tricked.
- The Rule: "No off-platforming without permission."
- The Script: "I know you want to talk to your gaming friends on Discord. But people online can pretend to be anyone. If someone asks you to move the chat to a private app, it’s usually because they want to bypass the safety filters. That’s a major red flag."
- Check the "Friends" List: Periodically ask your kid who their top gaming friends are. If they mention a name you don't recognize from school or soccer, ask how they met.
- Audit the Apps: Look at your child’s phone or tablet. Do they have Discord, Telegram, or WhatsApp installed without you knowing? These are the "exit ramps" predators use.
- Disable Direct Messaging: On Roblox, you can set communication to "Friends Only" or "Off." For kids under 12, "Off" or "Friends Only" (with you vetting the friends) is the way to go.
- The "Gifting" Conversation: Explain that in the digital world, nothing is truly free. If a stranger is giving them $20 worth of Robux, they are "buying" something—usually the child's trust or attention.
Check out our guide on setting up the best parental controls for every console
You don't need to ban Roblox. Banning usually just leads to kids hiding their activity, which is exactly what a predator wants.
Instead, you want to create friction.
- Friction is a safety setting that prevents a stranger from messaging your kid.
- Friction is a rule that says "gaming happens in the living room, not the bedroom."
- Friction is a child who feels comfortable saying, "Hey Mom, this guy in Fortnite is being weird," because they know they won't have their iPad confiscated for reporting it.
Predators look for the path of least resistance. If your child is "difficult" to move off-platform, the predator will move on to an easier target.
The digital world isn't inherently evil, but it is unvetted. Predators are tactical, patient, and use the same apps your kids use to have fun. The moment the conversation shifts from "Let's play this game" to "Let's go somewhere private," the game is over.
Teach your kids that their digital footprint is a trail, and they should never let a stranger lead them off the path.
Next Steps:
- Tonight: Open Roblox with your kid and look at their "Recent Chats."
- This Weekend: Sit down and review the privacy settings on their gaming console or tablet.
- Always: Keep the conversation open. If it feels "Ohio," it probably is.