Parental controls may not prevent online dangers

Parental controls that limit screen time do not necessarily prevent dangerous online encounters for children, according to experts. Véronique Béchu, a specialist in the protection of minors online and director of the Observatory of Digital Violence against Minors, warns that limiting screen time without controlling platform features such as chat functions, geolocation, and friend requests does not effectively protect children from predators.

Children begin using digital platforms at a young age

Samuel Comblez, a child and adolescent psychologist, notes that children begin using digital platforms around 5 years and 10 months, often without parental supervision from age 6 years and 10 months. This early exposure increases the risk of encountering predators online, especially if children are not properly guided.

Predators use grooming tactics in online games

Children's online interactions, particularly in games like Roblox, can lead to grooming by predators who use false identities and gradually gain the trust of minors. Grooming involves building a relationship of control, often with the aim of sexual exploitation. Predators often target isolated, bullied, or depressed children, exploiting their vulnerabilities.

Real-life cases of online predation

In one case, an 11-year-old girl named Brune encountered a predator in the game Brookhaven on Roblox, where the avatar forced her character into a virtual house and made inappropriate advances. She later received a friend request but did not respond. The incident was reported to the 3018, the national number against digital violence against children.

Sextortion is a growing problem

Another case involved a girl named Mathilde, whose online relationship with a predator began in a seemingly harmless way. The predator, posing as a boy, gradually gained her trust and eventually asked for intimate photos. When Mathilde sent a photo, the predator threatened to publish it unless she sent more. This is known as sextortion, a growing problem in France, with 29,000 cases reported in 2024, five times more than in the previous three years.

AI is used for blackmail

Artificial intelligence (AI) is also being used as a new weapon of blackmail, where predators create fake nude images using a child's public photo and threaten to publish them unless the child sends more intimate images. In the first half of 2026, the 3018 received 138 reports targeting Discord, more than three times the total for 2025.

Experts recommend comprehensive parental controls

Experts advise parents to set up contacts, not just time limits, on parental controls. They recommend private profiles, no chat with strangers, no geolocation, and blocking purchases. Playing with children on digital platforms is also recommended to understand the environment they are in.

Creating a safe digital environment

For younger children, offline games are preferable, and playing with known friends is better than random teammates. Parents should listen to their children, not just watch, and prefer the living room over the bedroom for online activities. Talking about digital life as regularly as school life is important, and installing the 3018 app on a child's phone can provide a secure way to report incidents.

Age-appropriate online safety education

Experts emphasize the importance of discussing online safety with children at different ages. For children under 7, simple rules are sufficient, such as not showing their body or keeping secrets. From 7 to 11 years, children should be taught to recognize discomfort and possible lies. From 12 years, discussions should include manipulation, blackmail, and the use of AI in creating fake images.

Steps to take in case of an incident

In case of an incident, parents should remain calm, depersonalize the child, and not communicate with the aggressor. They should keep evidence, block the aggressor, report the incident to the platform, and contact the 3018. Filing a police complaint is also necessary. Consulting a psychologist may be useful if the child remains distressed or if the parents are overwhelmed by anxiety.