Nov. 20, 2025

Protect Kids in Roblox, Fortnite and Minecraft | Kevin Cronister, episode 10

EP 10. Predators are using online games like Roblox, Fortnite, and Minecraft to groom kids. ICAC investigator Kevin Cronister explains how it happens, what red flags to watch for, and simple action steps parents can take right away to keep their kids safer.

Online gaming has become a huge part of childhood today. Whether your child is building worlds in Minecraft, battling it out in Fortnite, or exploring endless user-created games on Roblox, these platforms offer creativity and connection. But they also come with risks most parents don’t fully see—or even know to look for.

In this episode of KEEP KIDS SAFE, I’m joined by Kevin Cronister, a veteran investigator with the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force. Kevin has seen firsthand how predators use online games to connect with and groom children, often without parents realizing anything is wrong.

This conversation is eye-opening, practical, and full of hope. My goal isn’t to scare you—it’s to equip you. And Kevin delivers a masterclass in understanding the risks and taking simple, effective steps to keep your kids safe.

Key Questions This Episode Answers

If you’re a parent of any child who plays online games, this episode will help you understand:

Why games like Roblox, Fortnite, and Minecraft have become major hotspots for predators
How predators groom kids inside these games using chat, gifts, and “friend” features
What red flags parents should watch for during gameplay
Why in-game currency (like V-Bucks) is often used to manipulate kids
How to talk to your kids about online interactions without scaring them
What simple steps you can take today to reduce risks by 80%
Why disabling chat features is one of the easiest, most effective safety tools
How to set realistic boundaries even if your kids push back

These are the real-life, practical insights every parent needs—especially if your child views gaming as their favorite hobby.

What You’ll Learn

Why online games have become prime targets for predators.
The tactics predators use to build trust and groom children in these environments.
Simple, effective steps parents can implement for safer game time.
How open conversations and curiosity can build digital confidence and trust within your family.

If you have kids who spend time on games like Roblox, Fortnite, or Minecraft, you’ll want to lean in for this conversation. The latest episode of Marketing With Empathy®—featuring Sarah Panus and special guest Kevin Cronister, a veteran ICAC investigator—dives deep into the risks lurking in online gaming spaces, and what parents can do right now to protect their children.

The episode opens with a sobering truth: while online gaming is a creative and fun pastime for millions of children, it’s also become a modern hunting ground for predators. As Sarah Panus points out, many parents assume their kids are just playing games with friends, unaware that these digital environments are “target rich” for those looking to groom and exploit young users.

Kevin Cronister, who works with the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force, sheds light on the shifting landscape: chat rooms may be fading, but multiplayer games have more than filled the gap, connecting kids with strangers from across the globe. With built-in messaging and “friend” features, predators can easily infiltrate a child’s online circle—often beginning with innocent banter, then escalating with gifts of in-game currency or items to build trust and emotional dependency.

Far from a fear-mongering episode, the conversation pivots toward hope and practical solutions. Kevin Cronister emphasizes that informed parents are a child’s strongest defense. Simple acts—like playing games alongside your child, closely monitoring friend lists, disabling chat features, and keeping tabs on any unexpected in-game purchases—can dramatically reduce the risk. His advice? If your child receives digital gifts or new “friends” you don’t know personally, treat these as bright red flags.

The episode is packed with actionable tips and resources for parents seeking guidance. Sarah Panus reinforces the message: vigilance, open conversation, and hands-on involvement aren’t just recommended, they’re essential habits for building your child’s digital confidence and safety.

Ready to take the next step? Kevin Cronister directs parents to KidsDigitalHealthHub.com and the Screen Guardians podcast for further education, courses, and case studies—tools designed to demystify the threats and empower families to protect their children as they navigate the virtual world.

In short: You are not powerless. With the right tools, habits, and information, you can turn online gaming from a place of risk to a space of learning, growth, and—most importantly—safety.

The Hidden Dangers Inside Online Games

One of the biggest shifts Kevin highlights is how predators have moved from old-school chat rooms (remember those?) to online games. These platforms now function like massive, global chat rooms—only with avatars, missions, and gameplay layered on top.

Kids don’t just play with friends.
They play with whoever the game pairs them with—strangers from all over the world.

Predators take advantage of that openness. They:

Watch for kids who are isolated or unsupervised
Use friendly banter to build trust
Invite kids to play multiple rounds
Send gifts or in-game currency to create a sense of connection
Ask questions about home life to spot vulnerabilities
Slowly move the child to private messaging apps

The process is subtle and shockingly effective.

And most parents won’t recognize the red flags unless they know what to look for.

What Grooming Looks Like Inside the Game

Grooming inside online games rarely begins with anything alarming.

In fact, Kevin explains that it usually starts with comments like:

“Want to play again? That was fun.”
“Nice job. You’re really good at this.”
“Do you want this free skin or item?”

Those “free gifts” are one of the most powerful tools predators use. Kids naturally interpret generosity as friendship—and predators exploit that instinct.

Before long, kids may feel emotionally connected or obligated to the person sending gifts. That’s where the danger starts.

The Hope: Simple Steps Make a Massive Difference

The good news?
You don’t have to be a tech expert to protect your kids.

Kevin and I walk through several easy steps that dramatically increase safety, including:

1. Play the game with your child sometimes

This helps you understand the environment and makes you the trusted adult they want to play with.

2. Disable or limit chat features

Yes—kids can still play the game. And this one step stops the majority of risky interactions.

3. Monitor their in-game friend list

If you don’t know a friend in real life, they should not be on your child’s list.

4. Keep an eye on in-game purchases and currency

If your child suddenly has a new skin or item you didn’t buy, that’s a bright red flag.

5. Have ongoing, calm conversations

You don’t need to lecture—just keep the door open.

These simple steps follow the 80/20 rule Kevin mentioned:
20% of your efforts can eliminate 80% of the risk.

Tips for Talking With Your Kids

We also discuss practical ways to talk to your kids about online safety without making them fearful or defensive.

Try using questions like:

“Who do you usually play with?”
“Has anyone ever given you something in the game?”
“What do you do if someone messages you and you don’t know them?”

The goal isn’t control—it’s connection. When kids feel safe coming to you with questions or concerns, everything gets easier.

Connect with ICAC Officer and Podcast Guest, Kevin Cronister

Learn more and access extensive resources by visiting:

Kids Digital Health Hub: Resources, videos, and online courses to help parents and teachers stay educated about digital safety for kids.
Podcast: The Screen Guardians Podcast—dive into real-life cases and strategies for digital safety, hosted by Kevin Cronister

Final Thoughts

Online games aren’t going away—and they don’t need to.
But we, as parents, have to be informed.

Once you understand how predators operate and the simple steps that block them, online gaming becomes a safer, healthier space for your kids to enjoy.

You are not powerless.
You can protect your kids—and we’re here to help you every step of the way.

Help Me Spread the Light

Together, we can be the light God calls us to be. If this episode encouraged you, I invite you to:

✨ Join my email list for quick updates about future episodes and related topics to help keep kids safe.

✨ Share this episode with a friend, pastor, or business leader who cares about protecting children.

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About the Host, Sarah Panus

Sarah Panus is a Christian mom, the host of KEEP KIDS SAFE and Marketing With Empathy® (top 5% podcast globally), owner of the content marketing consulting company Kindred Speak, and a passionate advocate for protecting children. She’s on a mission to equip Christian parents with hope-filled, practical ways to keep kids safe in today’s world.

She lives in Minnesota with her husband, two kids, and Golden Retriever.