TL;DR: The 2-Minute Drill
If you’re short on time between soccer practice and dinner, here’s what you need to know: Gaming friend requests aren't just about "stranger danger" anymore—they are the social currency of the 2026 playground.
- Roblox has fundamentally changed how kids under 13 interact; they can no longer access "social hangouts" or send certain types of messages without your explicit permission via the new Parent Account link.
- Discord remains the "final boss" of social gaming; it's where the real conversations happen, and it requires the most hands-on boundary setting.
- The Shift: Move from "don't talk to strangers" to "don't share your 'real-life' (RL) stats."
- Key Resource: Check out our guide on setting up the new Roblox Parental Controls.
In 2026, a friend request in Roblox or Fortnite isn't necessarily an invitation to a lifelong friendship. For kids, it’s often about "clout" or utility. They want to see what skins someone has, join a high-level "clan," or simply have a high friend count because it makes them look "pro" and not like a "noob" or "Ohio" (which, for the uninitiated, is kid-speak for weird or cringe).
The problem is that the line between a 9-year-old in Ohio and a 25-year-old "griefer" looking to ruin someone's day—or worse—is incredibly thin. The "stranger" your child meets online is rarely a guy in a dark alley; they are more likely a "friend of a friend" in a Discord server who seems cool because they have rare items in Adopt Me!.
Kids aren't trying to be defiant; they are trying to belong. In games like Minecraft, having "friends" on your list means you can access better servers and build bigger things.
To a child, a friend request feels like:
- Validation: "Someone thinks I'm good at this game."
- Access: "If I friend this person, they’ll give me free Robux" (Spoiler: they won't, and it's usually a scam).
- Social Necessity: "Everyone in my class is on this Discord server, I have to be there too."
Learn more about why kids are obsessed with digital status
Following the major safety overhauls of late 2024 and 2025, Roblox is no longer a "set it and forget it" app.
- Under-13 Restrictions: Kids under 13 are now blocked from "Social Hangouts" (games designed purely for chatting) and "Free-form Drawing" games. This is a huge win for reducing exposure to inappropriate content.
- Parental Permissions: You can now link your account to theirs to see their friend list and set "spend limits." If your kid wants to change their chat settings, you get a notification on your phone to approve or deny it. It’s actually functional now, unlike the clunky systems of the past.
Discord is still the "wild west" compared to Roblox. While they’ve added a "Family Center," it only shows you who they are talking to, not what they are saying. In 2026, Discord is where "brain rot" culture (think Skibidi Toilet memes turned into weird roleplay) can lead kids into private DMs with people they don't know.
Not every stranger has the same motive. Teaching your kids to categorize who they meet helps them stay skeptical:
- The Griefer: Someone who joins a game just to destroy what your kid built. They are annoying, but usually harmless in the long run.
- The Beggar/Scammer: "Friend me and I'll show you a glitch to get free items." These are the most common. They want your kid's password or their rare items.
- The "Pro": An older player who "mentors" the child. This is the "orange flag" zone. Why is a 17-year-old spending four hours a day talking to an 8-year-old?
- The Real-Life Seeker: Anyone asking "What school do you go to?" or "Send me a face reveal." This is the hard "Red Flag."
Ask our chatbot for a script on how to explain "grooming" to a 10-year-old
Elementary School (Ages 6-10)
At this age, the rule should be "RL Friends Only." If you haven't sat next to them in class or played soccer with them, they don't get to be on the friend list.
- Action: Use the Roblox parental controls to disable "Who can message me" and "Who can chat with me in app" to "No one" or "Friends only" (after you've vetted the friends).
- Recommendation: Stick to "walled garden" games like Toca Life World or Sago Mini World where social interaction is non-existent or highly curated.
Middle School (Ages 11-13)
This is the "negotiation" phase. They want to play Fortnite or Among Us with "friends of friends."
- Action: This is the time to introduce the "Gamertag Ghost" rule. They can add people to play a specific match, but they must clear their friend list of "strangers" every Sunday night.
- Safety Tip: Ensure they know how to use the "Block" and "Report" buttons. Make it a game—see if they can show you how to block someone.
High School (Ages 14+)
By now, they are likely on Discord and Instagram. You can't monitor every chat, but you can monitor their emotional regulation.
- Action: Discuss "Social Engineering." Teach them that people online might use "love bombing" (giving them lots of compliments or free in-game items) to get information.
- Recommendation: If they are into competitive gaming, suggest they use Twitch for learning, but keep their own streaming/camera off until they are 16+.
In 2026, the biggest threat isn't just a "bad person"—it's a "bad link." Many friend requests are just a delivery system for phishing links. A "friend" might send a link saying, "Check out this cool YouTube video of us playing," but the link actually steals their Roblox login.
The "No-BS" Truth: Your kid will eventually click something they shouldn't. The goal isn't 100% prevention; it's making sure they feel safe coming to you when the screen goes black or their account gets hacked, rather than hiding it out of fear.
If you come at them with "Don't talk to strangers," they will roll their eyes. Instead, try these conversation starters:
- "I saw Roblox updated their safety settings. Can you show me what your 'social hangout' block looks like?"
- "Have you ever had a 'griefer' ruin your build in Minecraft? How did you handle it?"
- "I heard some people use Discord to scam people out of rare skins. Has anyone ever tried to 'trade' with you and it felt sketchy?"
Digital safety in 2026 isn't about building a wall around your child; it's about teaching them to build their own "internal firewall."
Roblox and Discord are incredible tools for creativity and connection, but they are also businesses that profit from engagement. By staying "Screenwise," you’re not being the "tech police"—you’re being a coach helping them navigate the most complex social environment ever created.
Next Steps:
- Audit the Friend List: Sit down this weekend and go through their Roblox or PlayStation Network friend list. If they can't tell you the person's first name and what color hair they have in real life, it’s time to "unfriend."
- Enable MFA: Ensure Multi-Factor Authentication is on for every single gaming account. This stops 99% of "stranger" hacks.
- Check the WISE Scores: Before letting them download a new "trending" game, check the Screenwise WISE score to see how it handles player-to-player communication.
See our full list of recommended "Safe Social" games for kids