Seminole County Mom Opens Esports Training Center to Keep Kids Safe Online

Kairan was just getting into streaming when the warnings started showing up in his chat: strangers attempting to extract his personal information. His mother, Dani Kelsey, had already enforced a household "gaming out in the open policy," but what her son was describing demanded something bigger.

So Kelsey opened Valhallen Esports Training in Altamonte Springs, a dedicated facility where elementary, middle, and high school students can compete and develop their skills under supervised, safety-focused coaching. The center opened in March 2026.

The concern driving Kelsey's decision is widespread. According to a Pew Research Center survey, 80% of teens think harassment over video games is a problem for people their age. Kairan's experience put that statistic into personal terms for the family.

"I had been starting to stream and there are a lot of people that get into your chat and try to get your information," Kairan said.

Kelsey designed the center around both competitive development and the internet safety conversations that parents like her were already having at home. The structure keeps students playing alongside local teammates while still reaching national competition.

"They are playing with teams that are here locally that are a part of our arena as their teammates, but they are having the opportunity to compete against teams from across the country," Kelsey said.

The model reflects a deliberate philosophy. Rather than isolating kids from online gaming, Valhallen Esports Training puts a supervised structure around it, bringing the "out in the open" approach Kelsey applied in her own home into a shared community space for Seminole County families.