Kids Are Shifting from Social Media to Gaming

Over the past four years, fewer children aged 9–11 are using social media platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok. This shift might be due to increased parental awareness of the potential harms of social media.

Meanwhile, Roblox has become more popular among children. In the 9–18 age group, usage increased from 31 percent to 45 percent between 2022 and 2024, according to a survey by Medietilsynet, which is the Norwegian media authority. Among 9–11-year-olds, 69 percent are using Roblox, with girls being the most frequent users at 73 percent.

Is It Better for Kids to Use Gaming Platforms?

«Roblox is not just one game; it is a social platform with access to multiple games,» explains Kris Munthe, Barnevakten’s gaming expert. «While some Roblox games are child-friendly, others may contain violence or horror.

Through gaming, children may avoid certain issues present in social media, but new challenges can arise, like problematic interactions with strangers, exclusion from friend groups, and exposure to advertising pressures. Fortunately, some of these risks can be mitigated with good parental controls.»

Pros and Cons of Gaming Platforms vs. Social Media

Social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat have a minimum age requirement of 13. These platforms can expose children to inappropriate content. While some children rarely encounter negative experiences, algorithms can unexpectedly introduce harmful content, such as violent videos or unrealistic beauty standards.

In contrast, gaming platforms are more interactive. Children actively participate rather than passively consume content. Gaming platforms generally lack the endless streams of entertainment, news, and influencers common in social media, which may be beneficial. However, parents should still be cautious about potential dangers in games, such as online predators who know children are present on these platforms.

Five Tips for Safe Gaming

1. Use Parental Controls: Most platforms allow accounts to be made private and chats to be restricted. Filter out inappropriate content as best as possible.
2. Discuss Online Safety: Teach children that some adults pretend to be kids online to gain their trust. Children should avoid connecting with or chatting with anyone they do not know in real life.
3. Stay Informed on Grooming Tactics: Familiarize yourself with common tricks used by adults to exploit children online. You can read more about grooming here: Signs of grooming
4. Be Aware of Hacking Risks: Ensure children do not share passwords, even if promised rewards.
5. Talk About Boundaries: Explain that some people may latch onto friendships in unhealthy ways, especially if they are facing personal challenges and see the game as their «lifeline.»

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