The FBI Field Office in Houston is warning parents about a growing online violent threat targeting children through popular gaming and social media platforms. (Spectrum News 1/Barbara Campos)

FBI warns of growing online threats targeting children

BY Barbara Campos Texas

PUBLISHED 1:00 PM CT Oct. 14, 2026 PUBLISHED 1:00 PM CDT Oct. 14, 2026

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TEXAS — As a lifelong gamer, Jimmy Wu always wanted to share his love of video games with his children. [...] The FBI’s warning comes as child safety on gaming platforms faces increased legal scrutiny in Texas. Last year, the Texas Attorney General’s Office sued Roblox, accusing the company of putting profits ahead of children’s safety.

In March, a judge dismissed part of the state’s case but allowed a claim alleging that Roblox misled parents about the safety of its platform to move forward. [...] Roblox told Spectrum News that it implemented new safety measures earlier this year, including mandatory age checks, disabling chats for children under 9 and an artificial intelligence monitoring system called Sentinel designed to detect potential grooming patterns.

“You don’t, I guess, realize how prevalent it is until it affects your own family,” Wu said.

Investigators say another concerning aspect of these networks is that the people targeting children may also be young.