While online gaming can be a great way to connect with others, it’s important to be cautious about trusting people you meet in online gaming chats27. Here’s why:
You can't verify the sincerity or credibility of people in online groups, social media, and discussion boards3.
Someone who seems to "get you" may have ulterior motives3.
Avoid giving out personal information to anyone online, no matter how nice they seem3. Don't provide photos or personal details to strangers3.
Playful trash talk can turn into bullying, hate speech, and other problems if content moderation and platform safety aren't prioritized1.
Meeting up with people you meet online can be dangerous and should only be done with parental permission and supervision5.
However, research indicates that online gamers who are motivated by the social aspects of online play tend to be more trusting of their fellow players2. Players also tend to be more trusting of those within their guild (a group of players who share a common chat channel and play together regularly)2.