Visual Novel Game Trailer
Description
Your friend’s been distant lately, and when he finally opens up, you’re surprised to find out he’s been happier than before—he even met someone special, an online girlfriend!
While you’re happy for him, something feels off.
When he offers to introduce you, you’re pulled into a chatroom stream to watch their messages unfold in real time. You’ll help him navigate conversations, play mini-games with her, and try to uncover if she’s really who she says she is before things go too far.
"Ctrl+Z Love" is a visual novel/ chat simulator centered around Kazuma who happens to be in love with his online girlfriend Lalaoopsie. Learn more about the characters here! Developed by NAFA students Elly and Jiayee, this project aims to educate and empower teenagers to recognize, prevent, and respond to online grooming while promoting safe and responsible digital behaviour.
Features
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Multiple Endings depending on trust level
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Time limit of 7 days
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Trust and Energy levels that the player will have to balance
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Option to monitor real-time chat conversations between your friend and his online girlfriend, play minigames with them or even browse the net
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The ability to investigate your friend’s pc through his stream (pinned messages, message history, other friend convos, photo album)
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Different options will lead to a variety of responses from your friend on both their videocall webcam, and personal DMs
IMPORTANT: Ctrl+Z Love addresses a sensitive topic such as Online Grooming, which would contain mature/ uncomfortable themes such as coarse or suggestive language. Viewer Discretion is advised.
characters
1. Kazuma (k4zu)
15 years old, Single child
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Introverted in real life, somewhat expressive online
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Lives with working, emotionally unavailable parents
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Has a PC and unsupervised internet access at home
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Chronically online (Valorant, Genshin, Roblox, Discord, Instagram etc.)
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Sees the internet as an escape from reality as he struggles with low self-esteem which stemmed from being emotionally neglected growing up
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Craves validation and affection that Lala manages to fulfil
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First met Lala on Roblox, he was eventually drawn to her as she was someone he could relate and "rely on" (why he entertains her "odd" requests at times).
2. Lalaoopsie (Online Alias)
16 years old, canonically 26 years old
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Puts up an innocent and sweet persona at the start, but her facade eventually cracks as the game progresses to be more obsessive and toxic, making weirder demands
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Also evident based on the photos and chirps(tweets) unlocked further into the game
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Mentally unstable
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She wants to feel young again due to her heavy adult responsibilities (childlike innocence, purity in its finest form)
Gallery
A Photo Gallery compiling most (if not all) of the images and illustration used for this final year project.
RESOURCES
Recent News
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435 culprits arrested in Asia, 21 men in Singapore after a 5 week cross border operation (between 24 February 2025 and 28 March 2025) involving police forces from Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Thailand
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https://www.police.gov.sg/media-room/news/20250404_435_persons_arrested_and_109_investigated_in_cross_border_operation
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Officers raided 69 locations, seizing 84 computers and over 300 mobile phones and tablets
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21 men aged 23 to 61 were suspected of sexual communication with a minor, possessing and distributing child sexual abuse materials as well as sexual assault of a minor.
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140 new cases of child sexual abuse material in Singapore since 2020
What is Online Grooming?
Grooming is the act of building up a trusting and emotional relationship with a minor, usually with the purpose of sexual exploitation, gratification or abuse.
A punishable offence under Singapore’s Penal Code 1871, where any person (A) that is 18 and above would be guilty if they have communicated with a person below 16 years old (B), with the intention of meeting for sex.
Read our full research folio here!
Factors of Online Grooming
1. Technology
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Allows easy/ unsupervised access to the internet, with increased screentime and more teenagers connecting online through platforms or games
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Social Media use drastically increased during COVID-19 among teenagers aged 10-19
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Social/ Physical interactions replaced by online communication, increasing risk of encountering predators online
3. Psychological Factors, Peer Influence
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Study conducted by NTU reported peers having a more important role than parents in influencing teenagers to engage in risky behaviour, including inappropriate interactions with strangers
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Teenagers who struggle with low-self esteem and loneliness are reported to have a strong desire for connection/ validation.
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Such desires result in teens being more vulnerable towards attention and flattery (manipulation tactics) used by predators, increasing grooming risks.
2. Lack of Parental Supervision, Low awareness
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Survey conducted by MCI reported that one-third of youths aged 10-18 played games with strangers regularly, 14% engaging in conversations outside of gaming
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Parents unaware of child’s online activities, 3 in 10 parents aware but 1 in 4 completely unaware
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Even young adults aged 18-23 lack awareness about manipulative tactics, believing that relationship is consensual rather than abusive.
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1 to 20 percent of children who regularly use the internet have encountered situations such as requests to share sexual content or facing pressure to meet for sexual purposes, having their images distributed without consent or becoming victims of online extortion
WHY SHOULD WE BE CONCERNED?
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Prolonged exposure to online grooming can result in trauma such as anxiety, depression, trust issues and the inability to form healthy relationships.
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Victims may turn to social isolation due to feelings of self-hatred and shame, as well as the fear of their abuser finding them or people identifying them
Warning signs of Online Grooming
It can be difficult to tell if one is being groomed, as the signs aren't always obvious. Older teenagers may behave in a way that seems "normal" but actually masks underlying issues.
Some signs may include:
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Sudden changes in behaviour, such as spending more or less time online
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Being secretive about how they’re spending their time, including when using online devices
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Having unexplained gifts, big or small misusing alcohol and/or drugs
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Having a friendship or relationship with a much older person
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Developing sexual health problems
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Using sexual language you wouldn’t expect them to know
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Seeming upset or withdrawn, mental health problems
Groomers may also:
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Pretend to be someone they’re not, for example saying they are the same age as the child online
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Offer advice or being understanding
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Excessive attention or flattery
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Discourage you from talking about them to others
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Downplay age differences
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Ask for personal (or even intimate) photos, even if they may seem harmless initially
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Talk about personal struggles to build trust, leading to trauma dumping
Groomers will also test a child’s compliance by persuading them to carry out inappropriate or abusive activities. They use tactics such as reverse psychology (E.G "I’m not sure about this, I think you might be too young") or strategic withdrawal (such as, "It was just an idea, it’s completely up to you") which give the child the impression they are in control of the situation.
If a friend or child reveals abuse
It's important not to react abruptly!
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Listen carefully to what they're saying
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Let them know they've done the right thing by telling you, and tell them it's not their fault
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Take them seriously instead of disregarding them/ brushing it off
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Report what the child has told you as soon as possible.
Reporting Online Grooming
Whether you are a parent or a friend, you can report online grooming via:
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Filing a CEOP report online
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You can also contact your local child protection services or the police to report your concerns about any type of grooming, whether it's happening online, in person or both.
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If you see a video or photo that shows a child being abused, don’t comment, like or share it.
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Instead, you can report it to the website/ platform it is on or report it to the police.