GroomingIs “E-dating” something to worry about? More Grooming terms
E-dating
Risk flagOnline-only romantic relationships, common on Roblox, Discord, and in game chats — including between people who've never met and can't verify each other's age. Kid-to-kid it's mostly puppy love with extra screens; the real risk is that anonymous platforms make it a grooming lane. Who the person is matters more than the label.
How kids use it
Roblox roleplay servers, Discord DMs.
Yes — take "E-dating" seriously. Terms in this category show up in contact between kids and people trying to exploit them. Seeing it in your kid's messages doesn't prove the worst, but it warrants a calm look at who they're talking to.
- Don’t confront in anger — ask who they’re talking to online, and look together.
- If an unknown adult is involved: screenshot everything, block, and report it to the platform — and to the NCMEC CyberTipline (CyberTipline.org) if anything sexual was requested or sent.
- Run a 30-second check on the apps involved Is it safe? checker →