With online gaming more popular than ever, Crime Stoppers is hosting a virtual event, “Virtual Programming: Gaming Safety,” at 11 a.m. CST on Tuesday, June 17. The free webinar educates parents, educators, and guardians on how to spot and prevent gaming-related threats to youth.
The presentation covers:
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The rise of eSports and increased online threat exposure
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Common risks including cybersecurity attacks, in-game harassment, and predatory behavior
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Recommended tools and monitoring strategies to keep students safe during gaming
Register here: [Crime Stoppers Zoom Registration]
Why This Matters
Gaming platforms face unprecedented online threats. Cybersecurity firm Cloudflare reports gamers experience 225 billion cyberattacks daily, including phishing, account takeovers, and malware—often disguised as game cheats or freebies
Child protection data paints a sobering picture:
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Roblox logged over 13,000 reports of child exploitation in 2023
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Gen Alpha children (born 2010–24) face frequent targeting; 79% game weekly, with significant risk from predators and bullying.
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A dangerous extremist group, “764,” recently used gaming platforms to recruit children—prompting a 250-case FBI investigation
Alarming Bullying Statistics
Online harassment is rampant:
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60% of gamers face cyberbullying
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38% experience account hacking
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Nearly 1 in 10 teens encountered online sexual solicitation
Cyberbullying often centers on hate speech, white supremacy, or targeted threats against vulnerable groups .
What Parents Can Do
The Crime Stoppers event recommends:
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Installing parental controls and monitoring chat
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Playing or observing games with children
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Open discussions about online interactions and setting clear rules
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Using blocking, reporting features, and trusted monitoring tools
