Steam
Last updated: March 2026
Scoring Categories
Age Verification
Date-of-birth prompt easily bypassed. No real verification.
DM Restrictions
Friend requests from anyone. Chat open once connected.
Abuse Response Time
Community reports reviewed but response times are inconsistent.
Parental Controls
Family View restricts store and community features with a PIN.
Offender Removal
VAC bans for cheating. Community bans less effective.
Known Grooming Tactics on This Platform
Trading scam luring
Predators use the promise of rare items or trading deals to engage with young users and build ongoing contact.
Group and community infiltration
Groomers join child-friendly gaming communities on Steam to identify and target young members.
Profile comment contact
Predators leave comments on children's public profiles to initiate contact and request friendship.
Parental Control Setup Guide
- 1
Enable Steam Family View under Settings > Family and set a PIN.
- 2
Restrict access to the Steam Store, Community, and profile features.
- 3
Set the profile to "Private" under Edit Profile > Privacy Settings.
- 4
Disable "Allow friend requests from anyone" to limit incoming contacts.
Report a Concern
If you've witnessed predatory behavior or a safety issue on Steam, submit a report below. All reports are reviewed by our research team.