Last Updated on 20th January 2022
Guidance for Parents and Carers
Our online safety experts have been alerted to a video game, being described by some users as an “introduction to horror.” Videos, versions of the game, and associated material are becoming increasingly popular on YouTube, Roblox, and other platforms used by young children.
Poppy Playtime features frightening images and themes that are paired with child-friendly items. This may be especially upsetting to children who have not yet developed the resilience to deal with disturbing content.
To help parents, carers, and safeguarding professionals better understand these issues, we’ve taken a deeper look at Poppy Playtime and the wider genre it belongs to.

What is a “horror game”?
A horror game is a type of video game that puts the player in the middle of scenarios designed to frighten them. These games typically revolve around the player trying to solve mysteries while being chased or hunted by monstrous characters. Popular examples are Slender Man, The Last of Us, and Five Nights at Freddy’s.

Why are these games appealing?
Games in this genre are vast in quantity. Their appeal is directly tied to the feeling of being chased and the constant uncertainty that comes with gameplay. The puzzles and mysteries discovered in the narrative give the player a purpose to try and reach their end goal. Players may also feel:
- The thrill of danger – Similar to watching horror films, children and young people can say they were brave enough to play (or watch someone else play) the game and survive to the end. This can inspire a game of “chicken” in which others can feel a compulsive need to show they are not a coward.
- A sense of community – Groups of friends may play collectively to see who can survive the longest or solve the mystery first. There is also a high-level of community involvement around games, which can make someone feel like they are a part of something if they are isolated or lonely.
- Sense of urgency – The heightened anxiety that comes with playing horror games, like the feeling of being chased, makes players want to solve the mystery of the game that much faster. The scarier the character or threat, the more satisfying it is to complete.
Breaking the rules – If young children or teenagers feel they shouldn’t play or watch something, chances are they will want to do it even more. They may also feel peer pressured to take part in something they would never seek out on their own time if all their friends are doing it.
What are the risks?
There are multiple risks that can arise from children and young people being exposed to frightening content before they are prepared.
- Added anxiety and stress – Children and young people are still growing and learning. They may not be at a level of emotional maturity that would be able to process frightening content, even if it is intentional. Horror games could hamper that growth by creating unnecessary anxiety and stress.
- Intrusive thoughts – Everyone has the ‘thing that goes bump in the night.’ If children play this game or watch it, the Boogeyman could easily be replaced with characters like Huggy Wuggy. This could cause children to lose focus or sleep and could interrupt family rest cycles.
- New fears – The manipulation of child-friendly items into threatening characters exploits the sense of security a child would feel around these things. They may suddenly be terrified of something that had never been a worry before.
Red flags to look out for
Every child is different. Some may genuinely enjoy the horror genre and not struggle with any lasting feelings of fear or panic because of playing a game. However, if it causes a child to be stressed or anxious, they may:
Find it hard to focus or concentrate
Appear withdrawn
Have a change in appetite
- Experience sleep disturbances or nightmares
- Appear suddenly angry, irritable, or teary
- Be worried or anxious, which can physically manifest in fidgeting
- Have new fears
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