We Had the Best Family Weekend, But the Devices Still Came Out
Even the Best Weekends Have a Familiar Ending
This past weekend, my family went skiing. By most measures, it was exactly what a family weekend should be. The kids were on the slopes all day, burning energy and making memories. When we got home, we swam in the heated outdoor pool, cleaned up, and went out for a nice dinner. It was full, connected, and fun.
And then, almost on cue, the devices came out.
Before bed, my daughters were scrolling aimlessly on their phones. As I sit here writing this, I can hear one asking the other if she wants to play Roblox. A full day of fresh air, physical activity, and family time, and still, the pull of the screen won.
I say this not to shame them, and not to pretend I have it all figured out. I say it because I think most parents know exactly what I'm describing. The challenge of disconnecting kids from their devices is real, even for those of us who understand what's at stake in the digital world. It's not a failure of parenting. It's just the reality of raising kids right now.
What FBI Boston Is Asking Parents to Know
In February 2026, the FBI's Boston Division released an open letter to parents, guardians, and caregivers, flagging a sharp increase in activity from violent online networks that target children. These networks, most commonly referred to as "764", are operating across social media platforms, gaming apps, and messaging services, including games like Roblox, Minecraft, and Call of Duty.
According to the FBI, predators in these networks befriend children online, build trust gradually, and then pressure them into sharing personal information or producing harmful content. Victims are typically girls between the ages of 10 and 17, though the FBI emphasizes that any child can be targeted. Many victims believe they are simply talking to a peer.
The FBI is currently investigating more than 350 subjects nationwide, with all 56 field offices involved. What stands out in the letter is a detail that many parents will find sobering: in a number of these cases, parents believed they knew what their children were doing online, and later discovered they didn't.
Gaming Platforms Are Social Spaces Too
A recent post from ESET, "Playing it safe: How to spot and fight cyberbullying in online games," reinforces why gaming deserves the same attention we give social media. Modern games are not just games. They are social networks, group chats, and shared adventures in one. The same features that make them fun and connecting also open the door to cyberbullying, manipulation, and unwanted contact.
One pattern worth knowing: a common early tactic is to invite children to continue chatting on a separate platform, like Discord or WhatsApp. Once the conversation moves off the game, it becomes much harder for parents to monitor, and things can shift quickly from game talk to something more personal. ESET notes that 85% of teens ages 13 to 17 play video games, and about four in ten do so daily. Many start before age five. The online social world is one our kids grow up inside, not one they enter later.
What to Watch For
Both the FBI and child safety researchers point to behavioral changes as the most reliable early signals. These can include mood shifts after time online, hiding screens when a parent walks in, changes in sleep or appetite, unexplained gifts or packages, and any talk, even indirect, about not wanting to be around.
The most protective thing a parent can build is a relationship where a child feels safe saying, "Something happened online and I need help." That comfort level doesn't come from a single conversation. It comes from many small ones over time.
Practical Tips for Parents
Get familiar with the platforms your kids actually use, including the games. Roblox, Minecraft, and Discord all have chat features that allow strangers to make contact.
Keep the conversation going. Not one big talk, but an ongoing, low-pressure dialogue about what your kids are seeing and who they are talking to online.
Use parental controls as one layer of protection, not the only one. They help, but they work best alongside awareness and trust.
Search your child's screen name or username periodically to see if any personal information is visible publicly.
If your child shifts a gaming conversation to a private messaging app, ask about it. That move is worth a gentle question.
Resources Worth Bookmarking
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): The FBI's reporting portal for online crimes, including those involving children.
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children: Take It Down: NCMEC's free service helps minor victims remove explicit content shared without their consent.
ESET Family Safety Online: Regularly updated, practical guidance on gaming safety, cyberbullying, and digital parenting.
None of this means we stop letting our kids play Roblox or scroll before bed. It means we stay curious, stay connected, and keep the lines of communication open. That, more than any app or parental control, is what keeps kids safer online.