Parents Gaming safety Online games guide

Popular Online Games & Child Safety

A data-backed guide to the top 10 games UK children play, the specific risks each one carries, and practical steps parents can take — sourced from Ofcom, NSPCC, CEOP and the Children's Commissioner.

97% of 8–17-year-olds play online games [1] 53% spend money in-game [1] Roblox reaches 61% of UK 8–14-year-olds monthly [2]
High risk topic Cited sources Updated June 2026
Why this matters

Gaming is the primary way UK children socialise online

According to Ofcom's research, 89% of UK children aged 3–17 played video games in the past year. Among those aged 8–17, gaming has become as important a social space as social media — often more so for boys. These are not simply entertainment products; they are persistent online environments where children communicate with strangers, spend money, and encounter a range of potential harms.

Important context Gaming itself is not inherently harmful. The Children's Commissioner's 2024 report Digital Playgrounds notes that for many children, gaming is a fun, social, and sometimes educational activity. The aim of this page is to help parents understand specific risks so they can have informed conversations — not to discourage gaming. [3]
UK law is changing in 2026 The UK government's national consultation "Growing Up in the Online World" (closed May 2026) includes proposals to restrict children from communicating with strangers inside games like Roblox, Fortnite, and Minecraft. Ofcom can fine non-compliant platforms up to 10% of global revenue under the Online Safety Act 2023. [4]
Rankings based on Ofcom & Qustodio UK data

Top 10 Online Games Played by UK Children

Ranked by reach and daily engagement among UK children aged 4–18, drawing on Ofcom's 2024 Children & Parents: Media Use and Attitudes Report and Qustodio's 2024 UK family data. [2][5] PEGI ratings sourced from the Pan European Game Information system.

# Game PEGI Developer Why children play it Risk level
1 Roblox PEGI ! Roblox Corp. User-created worlds, social roleplay, creative tools ⬤ High
2 Fortnite PEGI 12 Epic Games Battle Royale, Creative mode, seasonal events ⬤ Medium
3 Minecraft PEGI 7 Mojang / Microsoft Building, exploration, survival, education ⬤ Medium
4 EA Sports FC PEGI 3 EA Sports Football culture, multiplayer, Ultimate Team ⬤ Medium
5 GTA V / GTA Online PEGI 18 Rockstar Games Open world, roleplay servers — despite 18 rating ⬤ Very High
6 Call of Duty (Warzone / Mobile) PEGI 18 Activision Free-to-play, competitive squads, eSports culture ⬤ Very High
7 Overwatch 2 PEGI 12 Blizzard Hero shooter, colourful characters, team play ⬤ Medium
8 Rocket League PEGI 3 Psyonix / Epic Accessible, competitive, car football ⬤ Lower
9 Brawl Stars PEGI 7 Supercell Fast mobile multiplayer, free-to-play ⬤ Medium
10 Among Us PEGI 7 Innersloth Social deduction, party game, easy to access ⬤ Medium

Note on Roblox PEGI rating: PEGI changed Roblox from PEGI 7 to a "Parental Guidance recommended" label (PEGI !) because the platform hosts millions of user-generated experiences with variable content. This is not a standard age rating but a flag that parental involvement is especially important. [6]

Cross-game risks — sourced from NSPCC, Ofcom & CEOP

Key risks across online games

The NSPCC, Ofcom, and CEOP all identify the following risk categories as applying across the most popular games. [7][8]

Stranger contact & grooming

In-game voice and text chat exposes children to adults. The NSPCC warns that popular games have official channels with thousands of members, creating "risk of grooming or online forms of abuse, along with the risk of moving the conversation to other platforms." [7] In 2025, a man was jailed in the UK after grooming a 14-year-old first contacted through Roblox. [4]

In-game spending & loot boxes

Ofcom found that 53% of child gamers spend money in-game, and 32% regret those purchases. 42% report it's unclear what they're buying. Loot boxes — where children pay for a random reward — are flagged as a "risk-based feature" potentially harmful to children's financial wellbeing. [1]

Inappropriate user-generated content

On platforms like Roblox, players build and publish their own games. The NSPCC notes this means "other users could build games that contain adult or inappropriate themes" that children encounter. [7] No platform moderates 100% of user-created content in real time.

Cyberbullying & griefing

Online multiplayer enables harassment through chat, in-game sabotage ("griefing"), and verbal abuse via voice chat. CEOP advises parents to watch for signs of distress after gaming sessions and ensure children know how to block and report. [8]

Gambling-like mechanics

Loot boxes, battle pass exclusives, and time-limited offers are identified by Ofcom as "impulse-activating features" that can lead to child financial harm. V-Bucks (Fortnite) and Robux (Roblox) obscure the real-money cost of purchases. [1]

Scams & phishing

The NSPCC warns that children are targeted by scams promising free in-game currency (V-Bucks, Robux). These lead children to reveal their username and password on fake websites. [7] This is a persistent threat across all major titles.

Excessive screen time & addiction

Ofcom's research found 8–12 year olds spend an average of 3 hours 5 minutes per day online. Games are specifically designed with engagement-maximising mechanics. The NHS-funded National Centre for Gaming Disorders provides therapy for gaming addiction. [5]

Age-inappropriate content

GTA V (PEGI 18) and Call of Duty: Warzone (PEGI 18) are regularly played by under-18s. GTA V includes sequences of strong violence, torture, sexual content, graphic nudity, and drug use. Despite this, these games appear frequently in children's gaming activity. [9]

Per-game detail — NSPCC, Internet Matters, Hwb Wales

Game-by-game risk & safety breakdown

Each card covers the specific concerns identified by UK child safety organisations for that title, along with practical steps parents can take right now.

Roblox

PEGI ! All platforms · Free Highest risk
Highest-risk game for younger children in the UK Reaches 61% of UK 8–14-year-olds monthly. Combines user-generated content, voice chat, in-app purchases, and direct messaging with variable moderation. [2]
  • Voice chat in experiences allows real-time contact with strangers — harder to recognise risk than text [6]
  • User-generated games may contain adult themes not caught by moderation
  • Loot boxes present gambling-adjacent mechanics; additional restrictions apply for UK under-18s [6]
  • Grooming via Roblox has resulted in criminal convictions in UK courts [4]
  • Robux currency makes the real cost of purchases difficult to track
  • Phishing scams targeting Robux credentials are widespread [7]

What parents can do

  • Register with your child's correct age — safety settings are tied to account age [7]
  • Disable or restrict chat to "Friends only" for under-13s via Parental Controls
  • Turn off in-app purchases or set monthly Robux limits in account settings
  • Review and use Roblox's Content Maturity Labels to filter experience types [6]
  • Set up your own Roblox account to manage your child's settings remotely
  • Visit: corp.roblox.com/families

Fortnite

PEGI 12 All platforms · Free
Widely played by under-12s despite PEGI 12 rating Cartoon-style violence makes it less alarming to parents, but voice chat with random players carries real risk.
  • Voice and text chat with random players on by default; UK government has named Fortnite as a target for stranger-chat restrictions [4]
  • V-Bucks obscure actual spend; battle passes encourage regular purchase cycles
  • Fortnite Creative mode is user-generated — content quality varies
  • Seasonal FOMO mechanics drive impulsive spending

What parents can do

  • Enable a Cabined Account for under-13s — restricts contact to friends only
  • Set up parental controls in Epic Games account settings to limit voice chat
  • Disable or manage V-Bucks purchases via device-level parental controls
  • Play alongside your child to understand the social dynamics
  • Visit: Epic Games Parental Controls

Minecraft

PEGI 7 All platforms · Paid
  • Public servers accessible by anyone with an account — all include a chat function [7]
  • Third-party servers are largely unmoderated; children can access servers with adult player bases
  • Marketplace add-ons involve real-money purchases using Minecoins
  • Microsoft account requires age 13+ independently; parental accounts required for younger children

What parents can do

  • Use Minecraft Realms (paid private server) to limit who your child plays with
  • Link your child's account to a Microsoft Family Safety account to manage chat and purchases
  • For under-13s, use Xbox privacy settings to restrict public server access
  • Visit: Minecraft for Families

EA Sports FC

PEGI 3 Console & PC · Paid + FUT microtransactions
Ultimate Team is the primary concern The PEGI 3 rating applies to the base game — not the FIFA Ultimate Team mode, which involves purchasing player packs, a loot-box mechanic that has faced regulatory scrutiny across Europe.
  • FUT packs are a loot-box mechanic — children spend real money on randomised player cards
  • Social pressure to build a competitive team drives repeated spending among peer groups
  • Voice chat in online matches can expose children to abusive language
  • EA has faced government inquiries in multiple countries over FUT pack mechanics

What parents can do

  • Disable in-app purchases at the console level (PlayStation / Xbox family settings)
  • Discuss FUT packs explicitly — explain the random nature of the mechanic
  • Set a monthly budget if you allow any spending, and review purchase history regularly

GTA V / GTA Online

PEGI 18 Console & PC · Partially free Not for under-18s
Not appropriate for anyone under 18 PEGI 18 reflects graphic violence including a torture scene, pervasive strong language, sexual content, graphic nudity, and drug use. Despite this, it is regularly played by children drawn to roleplay communities. [9]
  • Extreme violence, sexual content, and drug use are core to the game narrative
  • GTA Online exposes players to random adults via voice and text chat [9]
  • Shark Cards (real money for in-game currency) encourage spending to keep up socially
  • Weekly updates and events are designed to keep players engaged indefinitely
  • Roleplay (RP) communities — common entry points for under-age players — are largely unmoderated

What parents can do

  • If your child is under 18, the recommendation from child safety organisations is not to allow this game
  • If access is permitted for older teens, restrict to Single Player story mode — this eliminates stranger contact [9]
  • Disable voice and text chat: Interaction Menu → Preferences → Voice Chat: No One
  • Disable Shark Card purchases at the device / console level
  • Hwb Wales parent guide: hwb.gov.wales — GTA guide

Call of Duty: Warzone / Mobile

PEGI 18 All platforms · Free-to-play Not for under-18s
Not appropriate for anyone under 18 — free access lowers the barrier Being free-to-play means children can download and access PEGI 18 content without parental involvement in a purchase decision.
  • Realistic military violence with blood, strong language, and gore
  • Voice chat in squad play exposes children to adults without moderation
  • COD Points currency and battle pass encourage regular spending
  • Highly competitive environment can drive anxiety and compulsive play

What parents can do

  • Use console or device parental controls to block PEGI 18 game downloads at account level
  • Review downloads regularly — Warzone is free and may be installed without asking
  • If permitted for older teens, mute all players except friends in audio settings

Overwatch 2

PEGI 12 All platforms · Free
  • Voice chat in team-based play can be abusive — particularly toward younger or less skilled players
  • Seasonal cosmetic items and battle passes create spending pressure
  • Competitive ranking system can cause frustration and emotional distress

What parents can do

  • Enable Blizzard Parental Controls to set play-time limits and restrict purchases
  • Mute voice chat in settings if your child is sensitive to abuse
  • Use the endorsement and report system to manage bad actors

Brawl Stars

PEGI 7 Mobile · Free
  • Mobile-first design and cartoon style attract very young players well below PEGI 7
  • Brawl Pass and gem packs are in-app purchases that can accumulate
  • Loot-box "brawl boxes" provide random character unlocks
  • Limited chat (emoji-only in most modes) reduces contact risk, but clubs include text chat

What parents can do

  • Disable in-app purchases on iOS (Screen Time) or Android (Family Link) at the device level
  • Avoid linking a payment method directly to your child's device or account
  • Check Club membership — Club chat is text-based and unmoderated

Among Us

PEGI 7 All platforms · Free / Paid
  • Public lobbies are accessible to all ages — text and voice chat is unmoderated
  • NSPCC notes that any game with chat has the potential for grooming contact [7]
  • The deception mechanic can introduce lying and manipulation as normalised gameplay

What parents can do

  • Set up private lobbies with known friends only — never play in public lobbies
  • Use the "Local" play mode (same Wi-Fi) for younger children to eliminate stranger contact
  • Disable chat in settings if playing with friends via external voice apps instead

Rocket League

PEGI 3 All platforms · Free Lowest risk
Lowest risk of the top 10 — but not risk-free No narrative violence, simple gameplay concept, and limited chat. Generally considered a safer option for younger children with appropriate oversight.
  • Quick chat system (pre-set phrases only) reduces direct stranger contact but can still be used for taunting
  • Rocket Pass and in-game items involve real-money purchases
  • Ranked competitive mode can lead to frustration and excessive play

What parents can do

  • Restrict in-app purchases via Epic Games account settings or console controls
  • Encourage unranked/casual modes to reduce competitive pressure
  • One of the better titles to introduce children to online multiplayer with supervision
Universal guidance — NSPCC, CEOP, Internet Matters

10 actions every parent should take

These steps are recommended across multiple UK child safety organisations and apply regardless of which games your child plays. [7][8][10]

  1. Check PEGI ratings before any game is downloaded

    Visit pegi.info to understand what content a rating reflects — violence, language, gambling mechanics — not just the age number.

  2. Enable parental controls on every device and platform

    Internet Matters provides step-by-step guides for PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android at internetmatters.org/parental-controls. See also our platform settings hub.

  3. Review and restrict in-app purchase access

    Remove saved payment methods from children's devices. Use Family Sharing (iOS) or Google Family Link (Android) to require approval for every purchase.

  4. Discuss chat features explicitly

    CEOP advises agreeing with children on who they can talk to, making clear they should never share personal information, photos, or arrange to meet someone from a game in person. [8]

  5. Know how to block and report — and teach your child too

    Every major platform has reporting tools. The NSPCC advises watching for words like "whisper" or "private" in game chat as warning signs. [7]

  6. Place consoles and gaming devices in shared spaces

    CEOP specifically recommends primary-age children play in the same room as a parent or carer, not in bedrooms. [8]

  7. Set time limits with the child's input

    Agreements children help create are more likely to be followed. Use built-in screen time tools as a reinforcement mechanism, not a replacement for conversation. See our screen time guide.

  8. Play games together, even briefly

    Understanding what your child is doing online builds trust and makes them more likely to tell you if something goes wrong. Ask them to show you their games.

  9. Have regular, non-judgmental check-in conversations

    Ask open questions: "Who were you playing with tonight?" or "Has anything weird happened in a game recently?" The NSPCC's Talking PANTS framework extends well to online safety conversations. [7]

  10. Know where to get help if something goes wrong

    NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000. Childline (for children): 0800 1111. CEOP: ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre. Or visit our get help now page.
Further reading

Trusted UK resources for parents

All resources below are from UK government bodies, established charities, or officially commissioned research.

NSPCC

Per-game safety advice, parental control tips, and the NSPCC Helpline.

nspcc.org.uk — Online Games
Internet Matters

Step-by-step parental control guides for every device and platform; game-specific advice.

internetmatters.org — Gaming
CEOP / Thinkuknow

Police-led resource on online grooming, gaming-specific parent guidance, and how to report.

ceopeducation.co.uk — Gaming
Ofcom

Annual Children & Parents: Media Use and Attitudes Report — the definitive UK data source.

ofcom.org.uk — Children's media
UK Kids Online Safety (GOV.UK)

Official government resource on keeping children safe while gaming online.

kidsonlinesafety.campaign.gov.uk
Children's Commissioner

Digital Playgrounds — 2024 report on children's own views on gaming risks and benefits.

childrenscommissioner.gov.uk — PDF
PEGI

Look up the age rating and content descriptors for any game before downloading.

pegi.info
National Centre for Gaming Disorders (NHS)

NHS-funded therapy and support for children and adults with gaming addiction.

cnwl.nhs.uk — Gaming Disorders
Keep reading

Related guides

Gaming safety overview

The broader gaming safety guide — in-game chat risks, grooming patterns and conversation scripts for parents.

Platform settings hub

Step-by-step parental controls for Xbox, PlayStation, Roblox, and every app your child uses.

Screen time & devices

NHS-backed time limits by age and how to enforce them without constant conflict.