A Family Safety Guide
The world of online gaming offers incredible opportunities for creativity and connection, but it also harbors risks that every parent needs to understand. Research indicates that problematic patterns of screen use where children cannot control their time online despite negative consequences can be linked to higher risks of sleep disturbance, anxiety, and other emotional challenges in young people .
The goal isn't to eliminate gaming entirely, but to help children navigate it safely. Below is a list of ten games and game categories that have raised concerns among mental health experts and child safety advocates. Each entry explains the specific risks and why parental guidance is recommended.
Games with Intense Psychological Content
Some games are designed to create fear, suspense, and psychological discomfort. While these experiences are appealing to older teens and adults, they can be overwhelming for younger children whose brains are still developing emotional regulation.
Poppy Playtime
Why Exercise Caution: This puzzle-horror game sends players through an abandoned toy factory while avoiding animated toys like the character Huggy Wuggy. The game features dark, claustrophobic settings, sudden jump scares, and disturbing visuals . Although it carries a Teen rating, child development experts suggest its intense atmosphere can be frightening for children under 13 . The psychological intensity combined with immersive gameplay may cause sleep disturbances or heightened anxiety in sensitive players. Parents should be aware that the game's horror elements are designed to evoke genuine fear, which may not be appropriate for all age groups.
The Baby in Yellow
Why Exercise Caution: Players act as a babysitter caring for a mysterious child, with routine tasks gradually giving way to paranormal and demonic events . While the game uses humor and cartoon-style graphics, its themes of possession and supernatural horror can be unsettling . Despite its popularity, the game's blend of dark themes with familiar settings (a home, a babysitting scenario) may blur reality for younger or more impressionable players.
Evil Nun
Why Exercise Caution: Set in a school environment where a menacing nun pursues children, players must solve puzzles, hide, and escape . The game is rated for older teenagers due to its frightening scenes, yet it has recorded millions of downloads among younger users. Experts note that portraying schools and authority figures in a terrifying light could contribute to anxiety or negative associations with real-world environments in younger children .
Ice Scream
Why Exercise Caution: This game revolves around an antagonist who kidnaps children, with players tasked to rescue victims through stealth and clues . While the visuals are cartoonish, the theme of abduction and the suspense-driven gameplay may be too intense for younger players. The game requires hiding from a pursuer and solving puzzles under pressure, which can create significant stress responses in children not yet ready for such content.
Games with Unverified Online Challenges
From time to time, online games or challenges emerge that operate less as entertainment and more as psychological manipulation, assigning escalating tasks that can cause distress.
The Blue Whale Challenge
Why Exercise Caution: This phenomenon gained global attention as an online "game" or challenge that allegedly assigned players a series of tasks over a set period . Mental health professionals have expressed concern about any online activity that isolates participants and encourages secretive behavior . The challenge highlighted how anonymous online interactions can influence vulnerable individuals, and parents should be aware of any games or challenges that ask children to keep secrets from their families or complete tasks in isolation.
The Momo Challenge
Why Exercise Caution: Similar to other viral online phenomena, this challenge reportedly used disturbing images and messages to frighten children into completing tasks . While the authenticity of some claims has been debated, the broader concern is how easily shocking content can spread through messaging apps and video platforms . The incident served as a reminder for parents to monitor their children's online interactions and discuss the importance of ignoring or reporting disturbing content from unknown sources.
Games with Addictive Design and Financial Risks
Many modern games are built by teams of psychologists and designers specifically to maximize the time and money players spend in them.
Roblox
Why Exercise Caution: Roblox is not a single game but a platform hosting millions of user-created experiences, making content moderation a significant challenge. While many experiences are harmless, others have been found to contain inappropriate themes, simulated nudity, or unmoderated chat rooms where strangers can interact directly with children . Additionally, lawsuits have alleged that the platform uses "addictive, manipulative" design elements to keep children engaged . The in-game currency (Robux) can also lead to unexpected spending, as children may not fully grasp the value of real money.
Fortnite
Why Exercise Caution: Fortnite's "battle royale" format is designed for endless replayability, with battle passes, daily challenges, and seasonal events creating a strong "fear of missing out" (FOMO) . This design can lead to excessive play sessions as children feel pressured to complete tasks before they expire. The game also features in-game purchases for skins and emotes, which can add up quickly. Its colorful, cartoonish aesthetic appeals to younger children, but the competitive pressure and social dynamics may be better suited for older teens.
Genshin Impact
Why Exercise Caution: This visually stunning role-playing game uses a "gacha" mechanic, a monetization system similar to loot boxes where players spend real money for a chance to obtain rare characters or items . This system has been compared to gambling, as it leverages the psychological pull of variable rewards . Children may not understand the odds and can spend significant sums chasing desired items. The game itself is content-rich and engaging, but its monetization model requires active parental oversight.
Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V) / GTA Online
Why Exercise Caution: GTA V is rated M for Mature (17+) due to its graphic violence, strong language, sexual content, and depiction of criminal activities . Despite this rating, it remains popular among younger teens. The online mode, GTA Online, persists as a living world where players can engage in heists, buy properties, and interact with others, but it also retains the mature themes of the single-player game. Parents should be aware that this is not a game designed for children, and its open-world nature exposes players to adult content regularly.
How to Keep Kids Safe: A Parent's Toolkit
Rather than simply banning games, experts recommend an engaged approach to digital parenting.
Use Parental Controls
Every major gaming platform (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC, and mobile devices) offers robust parental control settings. These allow you to:
Set time limits for gameplay
Restrict communication to approved friends only
Block games based on their age rating
Require approval for all purchases
View playtime reports
Play Together
The single best way to understand a game is to play it with your child. Ask them to teach you. This opens conversations about content and lets you experience firsthand what they are seeing and hearing.
Keep Devices in Common Areas
Prevent gaming alone in bedrooms, especially late at night. Keeping screens in shared family spaces naturally limits playtime and makes it easier to monitor activity.
Discuss Online Safety
Teach your children:
Never share personal information (real name, address, school) online
Never agree to meet an online "friend" in person
How to mute, block, and report players who are mean or make them uncomfortable
That they can always come to you if something online upsets them
Create a Family Media Plan
Work with your child to establish clear rules around gaming. This should include tech-free times (like meals and bedtime) and tech-free zones. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers tools to help create these plans .
Video games are a central part of childhood for millions of young people. By staying informed about the content children are accessing and maintaining open conversations, parents can help them enjoy the benefits of gaming while avoiding its potential harms. The goal is not fear, but awareness and a commitment to guiding children toward healthy digital habits that will serve them for life.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. If you are concerned about your child's gaming habits or mental health, please consult a qualified professional.
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