Would you leave children alone in a jungle? Probably not. Yet many roam the digital jungle unaccompanied, exposed to the risks there. The RAYUELA project aims to empower and protect these children through play.
“The initial motivation was personal,” explained Gregorio López, co-ordinator of the RAYUELA project. “By 2018, I realised I was spending a remarkable part of my time doing research and not enough time with my kids. I decided to devote part of my research activity to something useful for them.” This personal drive grew into a multidisciplinary initiative focused on keeping children safe online.
At its heart lies a video game built around six interactive ‘cyber-adventures’. These scenarios mirror real-life situations children might face online, such as fake social media profiles, cyberbullying, phishing or online grooming. “The players face situations inspired by real life and must decide what to do,” said López. “The video game allows them to learn good practices online in a fun way and in a safe environment, without taking any risk.”
The name RAYUELA pays homage to both a traditional Spanish hopscotch game and Julio Cortázar’s experimental novel of the same name. As López puts it: “Players create the story themselves based on their decisions, just as in Cortázar’s novel. And, much like bringing the pebble from Earth to Heaven in the game of hopscotch, it may be difficult at first for players to apply good online practices, but gradually they learn these skills through a truly enjoyable and engaging experience.”
A game changer
Unlike traditional awareness campaigns – often limited to slideshows and lectures – RAYUELA immerses children in relatable, decision-driven narratives. This format proved particularly engaging: more than 2,000 young people tested the game across Europe, and their feedback shaped its development.
“They provided feedback related to moving through the video game, the language and the way you see your character,” added López. “All these suggestions were incorporated.”
Law enforcement agencies and educators have also embraced the game. “Instead of introducing the topics with slides, our video game allows minors to explore such topics by themselves,” noted López. “This naturally leads to discussing these topics through the situations faced in a relaxed and friendly environment.”
One notable example is Portugal’s Missão Cibersegura, an ongoing national campaign aiming to reach about one million young people aged 10 to 16. “Taking the main outcome of a research project and using it in a nationwide prevention campaign represents an unprecedented success,” said López.
“So far we have 406 institutions (schools, school clusters, colleges and other associations) and 775 game facilitators (teachers, educators, and other educational professionals) registered. We’ve already reached 3,500 decision makers and educators through the likes of targeted webinars and training campaigns.” He credited this milestone to the collaborative spirit of the project partners and the vision of the Polícia Judiciária.
More than a tool – a research asset
While players learn as they play, researchers can also analyse how players interact with the game to identify key behavioural patterns. “Social isolation or lack of support emerges as a significant factor in both online grooming and cyberbullying,” explained María Reneses, a senior social science researcher who participated in the project.
Other findings show overlap in risk factors among victims and perpetrators, offering insights that could enhance policy responses.
Looking ahead, the team plans to expand the game with new content and languages, and hopes to replicate the Portuguese model in other EU countries. “We would like to keep the game evolving, maybe with new topics such as hate speech or sextortion,” added López.
For parents and educators wondering how best to support children online, López offered simple but heartfelt advice: “Spend time with them, take an interest in their online life just as we do in their physical life... I tested myself how powerful the video game was in this sense, allowing me to address some uncomfortable topics in a very natural way with my kids after playing the video game with them.”
RAYUELA is proving that effective cybersecurity education doesn’t have to be dull or detached. Sometimes, the best way to teach is through play.