Ep. 213: Unseen Evil in Video Game Avatars

About this episode

This episode discusses how video game avatars influence children's identities and the potential negative impact on their worldview.

Flowing from the idea that children need to express themselves online to form an identity, video game avatars serve as an introductory and primary portal for this. The cosmetic economy of avatar customization generates billions in revenue for game makers, while users pay and play their way into discovering their identity. The ability to customize your appearance in the game isn’t just a fun feature. As we reveal in this episode, avatar customization can shape children’s real-world identities. But identities are not created or curated – they are given by God. This is one more way video games disciple children away from the gospel and into a self-above-all-else, unbiblical worldview. Listen in as we inform and equip parents to know about and act against this unseen evil. Article references: Avatars in Gaming: How Roblox and Fortnite are redefining digital identity The Joy and Liberation of Customizing Your Avatar The Art of Avatar Creation Understanding Children’s Avatar Making in Social Online Games Young People and Gender Identity: Subverting the ‘body’ in massively multi-player online role-playing games The Role of the Avatar in Gaming for…

People in this episode

Host: Kelly

Topics covered

• video game avatars
• identity
• parenting
• digital culture
• Christian worldview

Keywords

• avatar customization
• cosmetic economy
• self-identity
• gospel

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Roblox, Fortnite

Books & works: Unseen Evil, Avatars in Gaming: How Roblox and Fortnite are redefining, The Joy and Liberation of Customizing Your Avatar, The Art of Avatar Creation, The Role of the Avatar, Managing Media Creating Character (2024 Revised, Brave Parenting Merch

More episodes of Brave Parenting

• Ep. 225: A Biblical Framework for AI & Children · June 10, 2026 · 36 min
• The Enhanced Games & Becoming ‘Superhuman’ · June 8, 2026 · 8 min
• Ep. 224: Is “Being Trusted” a Benefit of Smartphones for Kids? · June 4, 2026 · 34 min
• Ep. 223: Is Developing Digital Skill a Benefit of Smartphones for Kids? · May 27, 2026 · 37 min
• Discipleship Has No Summer Break · May 25, 2026 · 9 min
• Ep. 222: Is Connecting with Peers a Benefit of Smartphones for Kids? · May 21, 2026 · 38 min