Social Gaming Platform Dangers to Children
By Alya Siti Wahyuni (1209624106)
Video games have become a popular form of entertainment for millions of people of all ages. One of the most popular gaming platforms for all ages, called “Roblox” has around 88.9 million daily active users worldwide and is popular among children due to its variety of games and a multiplayer feature where they can connect with other people and play together. One major issue in social gaming platforms like Roblox is that with a massive amount of players, there are bound to be individuals or groups of online predators that wants to exploit children by having relationships with them, starting by befriending children through a game in Roblox and building trust so the children will eventually give their contact information to these online predators, sometimes escalating to grooming or even attempts to obtain explicit images from children. As a result, a child that is still naïve could have been groomed into thinking that an inappropriate relationship with an adult is normal, or they can even be traumatized. These dangers are compounded by the fact that many children are not fully aware of the risks or how to recognise suspicious behaviour.
One solution could be for parents to participate in their child’s gaming platforms. By playing games together, parents could watch their children and even bond with them. Additionally, playing together opens up opportunities for ongoing conversations about online safety, encouraging children to share concerns and ask questions. This proactive approach not only helps keep children safe but also strengthens the parent-child relationship, making children more likely to seek guidance if they encounter problems online. By combining active monitoring with open communication and education about online dangers, parents can significantly reduce the risks associated with social gaming platforms.
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