Is it safe for my young child to chat to other players in games?

Open chat with strangers is the main risk in children's games, because it's a known route for grooming. For younger children, limit voice and text chat to friends only, or switch it off. Explain that they should tell you if anyone they don't know messages them, asks for personal details, or wants to move the chat to another app.

How do I stop my child spending money in games?

Turn off one-tap purchasing and require a password or purchase approval for any spending, and don't leave a card saved for instant buys. Use the platform's family controls to manage or block purchases. It also helps to talk about how games are deliberately designed to encourage spending on skins, currency, and loot boxes.

How much gaming time is okay for a young child?

There's no single right number — what matters is that gaming fits around sleep, school, activity, and family time rather than replacing them. Agree clear limits together, keep gaming out of the hour before bed, and watch for it causing conflict or displacing other things. Playing together sometimes helps you judge what's healthy for your child.

Plan ahead

Keeping Younger Children Safe While Gaming

Roblox, Minecraft and other games younger children love — how to handle voice and text chat with strangers, in-game spending, and time limits without spoiling the fun.

What might be happening

Your younger child is into games like Roblox or Minecraft — often played with friends but also full of strangers, open chat, and things to buy. Gaming is genuinely good for children: it's social, creative, and fun. The issues are the bits around the edges: chat with people you don't know, pressure to spend on skins and currency, and games running longer than agreed.

How serious is it?

For most younger children this is about sensible setup and habits rather than crisis. The two risks worth real attention are contact from strangers through in-game chat (a known route for grooming) and unexpected spending. Both are very manageable with the right settings and a bit of conversation.

What to do first

Step 1

Set up a child account with parental controls (Roblox account restrictions, console family settings, or Microsoft/Nintendo/PlayStation family accounts) rather than an adult account.

Step 2

Restrict or switch off chat with strangers — limit voice and text chat to friends only, or disable it for younger children.

Step 3

Turn off one-tap purchasing: require a password or approval for any spending, and talk about how games are designed to make you buy things.

Step 4

Agree when and how long they can play, and play with them sometimes — it's the best way to see what they're actually experiencing.

What to say

Phrases that help

"I love that you enjoy this game. Let's set it up so it's just your friends you can chat to."
"If anyone you don't know messages you or asks you to do something, tell me — you won't be in trouble."
"Games try hard to get you to spend money. You need to ask me before buying anything."

What not to say

✗"Gaming is a waste of time." — dismissing it makes children less likely to share problems.
✗"You can chat to whoever you want." — open chat with strangers is the main risk to close off.
✗"Here's my card details, just buy what you want." — this leads to unexpected charges.

Settings to check

•Chat settings limited to friends only (or off) on Roblox/Minecraft and the console.
•Spending locked behind a password or purchase approval; no saved card for one-tap buys.
•Age/content restrictions on which games and experiences they can access.
•Daily play-time limits and a rule that gaming stops before bedtime.

When to escalate

If a stranger has been messaging your child, asking for personal information or images, or trying to move them to another app, save the evidence and report to CEOP (ceop.police.uk) and the game's report tools. Call 999 if your child is in immediate danger. The NSPCC helpline (0808 800 5000) can advise if you're unsure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last reviewed: 2026-07-13 · This page is educational guidance, not a substitute for emergency services, safeguarding professionals, or legal advice.

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.