Is voice chat in games like Roblox or Fortnite safe for my 9 year old?

Voice chat is the hardest feature to keep safe, because it can't be filtered the way text often is, exposing children to swearing, abuse, and unknown adults. For this age, it's sensible to disable voice chat or limit it to people they know in real life through the game's settings. Review those settings together and re-check them after game updates.

What should I do if a stranger in a game asks my child to move to another app like Discord or Snapchat?

Treat this as a serious warning sign, as moving children to a private platform is a common grooming tactic. Tell your child never to do this and to come to you. Block and report the player in-game. If the contact was sexual or your child was asked for images, report to CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) and call 999 if a child is in immediate danger.

Gaming Chat Awareness for 8–10 Year Olds

Understanding the risks of in-game chat features and how to keep children safe while they play online games.

Many popular games used by 8–10 year olds include chat features — text, voice, or both — that allow players to communicate with strangers. While gaming chat can be a fun social experience, it also creates opportunities for contact from unknown adults, exposure to inappropriate language, and bullying. This page explains what parents need to know.

How In-Game Chat Works

Games like Roblox, Minecraft, and Fortnite include chat features that let players send messages or talk through headsets. Some games filter text chat for younger users, but voice chat is much harder to moderate. Children can receive unsolicited contact from strangers in many popular games.

Key Risks to Be Aware Of

Strangers may use in-game chat to build trust with children before moving the conversation to a private platform. Children may also encounter bullying, offensive language, or pressure to share personal information. Voice chat in particular can expose children to adult content and aggressive behaviour.

Practical Steps for Parents

Disable voice chat in game settings or restrict it to approved friends only. Check the game's privacy and chat settings together with your child. Agree on a rule that your child should never share personal details in any game chat and should tell you immediately if someone says something that makes them uncomfortable.

External sources

Online games safety — NSPCC
Online safety issues hub — Internet Matters

Frequently Asked Questions

This is practical educational content to support families. For case-specific concerns about a child's safety, contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or your local safeguarding team.