A school has issued a stark warning after a child has been "groomed" online via the computer game Roblox.
Leaders at St John's school in Cheltenham advised families that playing computer games brings risks and that such activities should be carefully monitored. Gloucestershire Live reports that a letter was sent to parents reminding guardians of the reasons kids may want to engage in online chat, and the dangers behind such actions.
It said: "Dear Saint John’s families. We wanted to be in touch with the whole school community to inform them that a parent has informed us that one of the children seems to have been “groomed” at home via Roblox computer game
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"There is no immediate danger to the child and the interaction between the child and the other user has been closed down, but it serves as a stark reminder that playing computer games brings risks and should be carefully monitored by parents.
"Our understanding is that many parents fix settings so that children cannot chat to those that they do not know, but we also know that children can often get around these settings. There is a temptation for children to want a large circle of “friends” and therefore they will accept any request by an unknown user. As we are sure you are aware, these users can be very clever about how they contact children."
The letter continued to say that whilst kids are unaware, there are certain games that act as hotspots for such actions to occur: "Please be aware that this kind of “connection” is often made with younger children through “innocent” games in order to build a relationship with a child over several years – so it is as risky to an infant child as one in Year 5/6.
"Perhaps much of this is harmless and we know that children enjoy playing on many games such as Roblox, Fortnite, Minecraft and others; however, if it is an open game which can connect to unknown users, there is a risk involved."
Gloucestershire Live has contacted the school for further comment.
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