With gaming booming among local children – some as young as five – experts are warning parents to watch for predators hiding behind the screen.

In August, Roblox was sued in the United States after a predator allegedly groomed a 10-year-old girl by offering her in-game currency, Robux, in exchange for explicit photos. The case has fuelled global concern over how predators exploit gaming platforms, many of which are also popular with children in Ballito and across South Africa.

Sharon Knowles, founder and CEO of Da Vinci Cybersecurity in Cape Town, is raising the alarm over the rise in incidents.

“It is a real problem,” said Knowles, who has more than two decades’ experience in cybersecurity.

“It varies, but we are seeing an alarming increase in online grooming and review between five and 10 incidents a month.”

Knowles referenced the Disrupting Harm 2022 South Africa report, a collaboration between the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (Unicef), ECPAT International and Interpol, which revealed that 7-9% of internet-using children in South Africa have experienced online sexual exploitation or abuse. This includes sexual blackmail and coercion for explicit images.

“Data shows most approaches start on social media platforms, with a smaller but notable slice occurring in online games,” she said.

Unicef South Africa warns that one-third of South African children are at risk of online violence and exploitation. Knowles described how predators often begin with subtle tactics.

“In my investigations, the warning signs often looked small at first, a sudden shift to private chat, an in-game gift that carried unspoken pressure or a request to move to WhatsApp,” she said.

Knowles stressed that parents do not need to be tech experts, but they must stay alert and act quickly.

“The moment something feels out of place, step in, document the evidence and report it.”

Experts recommend enabling parental controls on platforms like Roblox, Fortnite, Xbox and PlayStation, keeping devices in shared spaces and setting clear rules about private messaging.

Warning signs include secrecy around devices, frequent headphone use, switching accounts and new “friends” with no real-world connection.

“Look out for requests to move the chat off the game to WhatsApp, Instagram, or Discord. Gifts or offers that feel too good to be true – free skins (a cosmetic design or outfit for a character or item in a game), currency or power-levelling – are red flags,” warned Knowles.

“Be aware of sexualised jokes or comments, or any request for photos or webcam, mood changes, sleep disruption, anxiety about being online or about a particular person.”

Suspected grooming should be reported to Childline South Africa (116), The Teddy Bear Foundation (011 484 4554), or the Saps Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit.

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