Cybergrooming: Sexual harassment in online games

Games that can be played online with or against other players are very popular. But be careful: criminals use the chats in games, such as Fortnite, to make contact and sexually harass children.

What is cyber grooming?

Cybergrooming is the targeted targeting of children and (especially underage) young people over the Internet, for example in chats, in a manipulative manner with the aim of involving the victim in a trusting relationship. The relationship of trust is then exploited to commit crimes such as sexually motivated attacks, rape or, in the worst case, murder.

The perpetrators' approach using Fortnite as an example

To do this, perpetrators specifically use online environments that are popular with children and young people, such as online games. By playing online games together, criminals can easily get to know potential victims in a digital gaming environment.

The graphic design of the very successful online game Fortnite appeals to children and makes the game seem quite harmless. That's why many children play the game in their parents' living room, even though it's a shooter game.

Adults use this environment and establish closer contact with children and young people through their shared interest in gaming. They then shift communication to messenger services as soon as possible and the perpetrators begin to sexually harass the children.

In-game chats in Fortnite Battle Royale

Fortnite is currently one of the most popular games. The free online game has different game modes. For example, you can also play in teams. These teams can be made up of friends, but teams can also be made up of unknown people.

The integrated chat function is particularly interesting for cybergrooming. These chats are not moderated and comments are not monitored. This leads to a lot of insults and threats among gamers, and possible perpetrators also easily come into direct contact with children. The game is approved for ages 12 and up by the self-control entertainment software (USK).

Connect with children via YouTube, TikTok and Twitch

Perpetrators also make contact with children in the many forums and Let's Plays that also deal with Fortnite. Whether on YouTube, TikTok or Twitch, Fortnite appears everywhere. Adults can make unobserved contact with children online in all of these places by pretending to be children or young people and thus building trust. Potential victims can therefore be easily contacted at any time. The supposed common interest in Fortnite connects people and provides a basis for conversation that makes it easy to get in touch.

There are currently around 400 million players registered with Fortnite. At times, between three and eight million players are online at the same time. A paradise for cyber grooming.

Gaming and schoolyard mix

Manners from Fortnite are appearing more and more in schoolyards. The Flossdance, now known to many adults through TikTok and Instagram, originally comes from the online game, as does the widespread expression “Standard”. The pressure to be present online is correspondingly great for students.

Set up parental controls for Fortnite

Parents can activate a setting on Fortnite that, for example, filters offensive language, turns off chat functions and limits the visibility of player names. Parental controls for Fortnite are activated in the game lobby, where all users are before the start of a round. To do this, a confirmed email address must be linked to the game account. Parents can use a six-digit PIN to ensure that the settings made are not changed by the young people. It is important that parents choose a secure PIN and do not share it with their children.

Source: Police Advisory

Mimikama note

How can I protect my child from cyber grooming?

• Promote trust. Take an interest in your child’s world – online and offline – and talk about it together! Show your child that they can turn to you if they have problems online without being punished straight away.
• Create problem awareness. Talk to your child about the fact that not everyone online has good intentions and how you might be able to tell. Also explain that other users are not always who they say they are.
• Avoid bans. Many parents forbid their child from contacting strangers on the Internet out of concern - but in the age of Instagram, Snapchat, Musical.ly & Co., this is unrealistic. Remember: young users these days always come into contact with strangers on the Internet!
• Strengthen gut feeling. Encourage your child to listen to their gut feeling if they find something unpleasant - this could even be the “horrible” kiss from their great aunt.
• Practice saying “no.” Train your child to ward off groomers - with statements such as: E.g. “Leave me alone!”, “I don’t want that!”, “What you’re doing is forbidden!”, “I’ll report this to the police/I’ll report you!” Children and young people defend themselves from the start against advance attempts, they quickly become uninteresting to potential perpetrators.
• Protect personal information and photos. Make it clear to your child that personal information such as address, school, cell phone number, etc. should never be passed on to people they only know online - the same applies to photos. Always handle children's photos carefully, even within the family - e.g. For example, your child's bathtub photos have no place on Instagram, Facebook & Co.!
• Only meet in public. Agree with your child that he or she will only meet an online acquaintance in public places (e.g. cinema center, café, etc.) and that he or she will definitely let you know beforehand. If possible, accompany your offspring and stay within sight.
• Stay calm! Talk to your child about cyber grooming as matter-of-factly and calmly as possible and don't panic. Children should not have the feeling that they have to protect their parents - otherwise they will not turn to them when the need arises.

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