Gaming, Grooming & Group Chats: What Professionals Need to Know About Today’s Online World

The online world that children and teenagers are growing up in is fast-paced, complex, and constantly evolving. As professionals working closely with young people—whether in education, mental health, or social services—we are expected to offer guidance, but keeping up with online trends can feel overwhelming.

From games that seem harmless to encrypted chats and AI-generated images, today's online risks are more nuanced and often hidden in plain sight. This blog highlights the key digital trends we’re seeing through our work at BeSmartOnline, and offers insights on how professionals can respond with awareness and confidence.

1. The Hidden Dangers in Popular Games

Gaming platforms like Roblox, Fortnite, and even mobile app games are popular among children as spaces for creativity, self-expression, and social interaction. While these platforms offer many positive experiences, they are also used by adults and peers to exploit vulnerabilities.

Grooming often begins through friendly in-game chats and progresses to private messages on other platforms. Many games have voice chat, role-play features, and user-generated content that are not moderated for age appropriateness. This can expose young players to sexually suggestive or violent content.

How professionals can help:

Encourage open dialogue between children and their caregivers. Suggest questions that go beyond “What are you playing?” such as, “Who do you talk to while playing?” and “Has anything online made you feel uncomfortable lately?”

2. The Rise of Anonymous Pages and Shout-Out Accounts

On platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, it’s common to find anonymous pages dedicated to school communities. While these may seem light-hearted, they often spiral into public shaming, bullying, and the sharing of intimate images without consent.

Children and teenagers can feel pressured to engage with these pages—either by submitting content or reacting to harmful posts. Without proper moderation, these pages create environments where harmful behaviours are normalised and even encouraged.

How professionals can help:

Raise awareness about digital responsibility. Encourage schools to promote empathy-driven campaigns and create safer online cultures. Remind young people that they can always reach out to trusted adults or contact the BeSmartOnline Helpline for support.

3. AI-Generated Content: Deepfakes, Deep Nudes and Disinformation

Artificial Intelligence has brought forward incredible tools—but also dangerous new challenges. In recent years, we’ve seen an increase in the misuse of AI to create fake or manipulated content, including intimate images (deep nudes), deepfake videos, and false information that spreads rapidly across platforms.

These can be used to harass, blackmail, or humiliate, particularly among peer groups.

How professionals can help:

Introduce digital literacy and critical thinking as everyday skills. Help young people verify information, question what they see online, and understand the impact of sharing manipulated content. Equally important is creating a safe space for them to talk when they feel overwhelmed or unsure.

4. Encrypted Messaging and Hidden Communication

Apps such as Telegram, Signal, and features like disappearing messages or hidden folders are increasingly popular with teens. While privacy is important, these tools can also be used to hide harmful behaviours, including sexting, grooming, and online harassment.

How professionals can help:

Rather than promoting fear or control, promote trust. Help caregivers and educators have non-judgmental conversations that open doors instead of closing them. Questions like “What do you like about that app?” or “What would you do if someone made you feel unsafe?” are more productive than blanket bans.

5. Creating a Circle of Support

At BeSmartOnline, we believe that protecting children online is a shared responsibility. Professionals, parents, caregivers, and communities all have a role to play. Young people need to know that when something goes wrong online, there is a safe and calm adult they can turn to.

You don’t need to know every app or trend. You just need to be willing to listen, learn, and act when needed.

Get Support

• Helpline (179) – Free and confidential support for children, young people, parents, and professionals navigating online risks.

• Hotline (childwebalert.gov.mt) – Report illegal online content such as child sexual abuse material.

  
  

At BeSmartOnline, we believe that protecting children online is a shared responsibility. Professionals, parents, caregivers, and communities all have a role to play. Young people need to know that when something goes wrong online, there is a safe and calm adult they can turn to.

You don’t need to know every app or trend. You just need to be willing to listen, learn, and act when needed.

If you're a professional working with youth and would like to deepen your knowledge or organise a tailored training session for your team, we're here to support you.

👉 Visit www.besmartonline.info to get in touch with us or request a training session.

Together, we can create safer digital environments where young people feel seen, heard, and supported.

By Davinia Marie Muscat

BeSmartOnline Safer Internet Centre, Helpline and Hotline