The internet has brought a plethora of opportunities for entertainment, and online gaming is one of the most popular activities for children and teenagers. While online gaming can be a fun and engaging way for your child to connect with friends and develop skills such as strategic thinking and teamwork, it also comes with potential risks. From exposure to inappropriate content to cyberbullying and online predators, there are several concerns that parents need to be aware of to ensure their child’s safety online. Here are some tips for parents to help ensure their child’s safety while gaming online.
- Educate Yourself. First and foremost, educate yourself about the games your child is playing. Understand the game’s content, its rating, and what kind of interactions the game involves. Does the game include chat features? Can players send private messages? Understanding the game's environment will help you set appropriate boundaries and guidelines for your child.
- Set Parental Controls. Most gaming platforms and consoles come with parental control settings that allow you to manage what your child can and cannot do. These settings can include controlling the ability to chat with other players, limiting the amount of time spent playing, and restricting access to certain games based on their ratings. Make sure to set up these controls in line with the boundaries you’ve set.
- Talk to Your Child. Have an open and honest conversation with your child about the potential dangers of online gaming. Explain why it’s important to keep personal information private, the risks of chatting with strangers, and what kind of behaviour is appropriate online. Make sure your child knows that they can come to you if they encounter any problems or uncomfortable situations.
- Monitor Game Play. While it’s important to give your child some independence, it’s also crucial to monitor their gameplay, especially for younger children. Make a point to regularly check in on what games your child is playing, who they are playing with, and the conversations they are having.
- Encourage Open Communication. Make sure your child feels comfortable coming to you with any problems they encounter while gaming. Encourage them to tell you if something makes them uncomfortable, if someone asks for personal information, or if they are being bullied.
- Know Who Your Child Is Playing With. Encourage your child to play online games with real-life friends or family members. If that’s not possible, get to know the online friends your child is playing with. Just as you would want to know your child’s friends in real life, it’s important to know who they are interacting with online.
- Teach Your Child About Online Etiquette. It’s important to teach your child about appropriate online behavior. Explain that it’s not okay to be rude, offensive, or to bully others online. Make sure they understand that the same rules for good behaviour apply online as they do in real life.
- Be Aware of In-Game Purchases. Many online games offer in-game purchases that can quickly add up. Make sure your child understands the rules about making purchases and set spending limits if necessary. It’s also a good idea to regularly check your credit card statements to ensure there are no unauthorized purchases.
- Use Safe Chat Features. Many online games have safe chat features that restrict the ability to use inappropriate language or share personal information. Make sure to enable these features to help protect your child.
- Report Inappropriate Behaviour. Teach your child how to report inappropriate behaviour or content within the game. Most online gaming platforms have reporting features that allow users to report offensive language, bullying, or inappropriate content.
- Limit Screen Time. While online gaming can be fun and educational, it’s also important to limit screen time. Encourage your child to take breaks, spend time outside, and engage in other activities offline.
- Play Together. Whenever possible, play online games with your child. Not only is it a great way to bond and have fun together, but it also allows you to monitor the gaming environment and interactions first-hand.
Online gaming can be a fun and engaging activity for children, but it’s important for parents to be proactive about ensuring their child’s safety. By setting boundaries, monitoring gameplay, and having open conversations with your child about the potential risks, you can help create a safe and enjoyable online gaming experience. Remember, your child’s safety is the most important thing, so don’t hesitate to set rules and guidelines that will help protect them online.