Some kids are playing video games for fun, some kids are interested in eSports. Some games can be played offline, some online. These days most of the kids are focused in playing online game, including multiplayer scenario where kids play together with other gamers.
Online gaming is exciting, fun to play and engage. But there is other side to it, RISKS. Here’s a beginner-friendly guide to understanding those risks and how to stay safe.
1. Cyberbullying
In most of the online games there is one feature that allows players to communicate with one another, which can sometimes lead to negative and aggressive interactions. Cyberbullying occurs when a player uses the game’s chat or voice features to scold, threaten, or harass other players. This can affect a child’s mental and emotional well-being. Also this might slowly lead your kid to learn those kind of behaviours.
How to stay safe :
Being a parents, your responsibility is to encourage and teach your child to report any bullying behavior immediately.
Tell your kid to keep the game’s chat feature turned off or in case if they want to keep it turned on, then be available near to them while they are playing game.
Teach your child to block players who are being rude or aggressive in voice chat.
2. Inappropriate Content
There are lots of games. Your responsibility is to check and find the specific age rating of the game, and decide if your kid should play it or not. Some multiplayer games, might expose children to inappropriate content, such as violent and harsh language, sexual graphics, or offensive behavior from other players. In online gaming there’s always a risk of encountering harmful material or offensive behaviour.
How to stay safe :
As much as possible, use parental controls to filter or limit content based on your child’s age.
Best part is you can involve and play games with your child to make sure that they’re playing age-appropriate game.
Tell your child about what kind of language or behavior or content is inappropriate for them.
3. Online Predators
Online predators often posing themselves as players or gamers, trying to make online connections with children as a game friend or manipulate kids for harmful purposes. They may try to convince kids to share personal information, photos or even try to meet kids in person (if available in same locality).
How to stay safe :
You must teach your child never to share personal details like their full name, address, phone number, or school while playing games.
Always see, be aware and try to review who they’re playing with.
Regularly check your child’s gaming account, if available then check chats and other activity.
Tell them to never add strangers to friend list.
4. Addiction & Screen Time
This scenario is being seen a lot and growing each year. This is becoming serious issue in today's world. Remember : online gaming can be highly addictive, leading to children spending hours playing games and neglecting other activities like school assignments, physical exercise, playing outside in field or socializing with family and friends in real life. This can and will lead to physical and mental health problems in near future.
How to stay safe :
You must make it clear and tell them about time limits on gaming, set gaming time limit. Why ? to ensure it doesn’t interfere with other aspects of life.
Tell them to take breaks and encourage them to play physical games. This will keep them away from the screen. You together with them play football or walk around or play cricket or play badminton e.t.c.
Watch carefully their actions while winning or losing game. If they are becoming aggressive after losing game, then teach them to be calm, warn them politely that this behaviour if repeated then you will limit the playing time additionally again.
5. In-Game Purchases
Many online games have in-game purchasing items like coins, gems and more, where players can buy items, skins, or other online content using real money. Children might not fully understand these transactions / payment procedures and it's risks, also leading to unexpected price charges on parents’ accounts. Do not allow them to buy these items. Never.
How to stay safe:
Buying virtual in-game contents is not good move. If possible teach your kids about this. As much as possible limit buying it.
Do not allow them to buy items themselves. Do not give card details to them.
If available, use the game’s parental controls to limit in-game transactions.
Teach your child about potential consequences of spending real money on virtual items.
6. Data Privacy and Security
When playing online game, children may not be aware of the data or information that they are posting or sharing, such as usernames, emails, and location. They may not know well enough on how to create strong password. Malicious actors may try to steal personal information, leading to identity theft or privacy breaches or account hack.
How to stay safe :
Teach your child the importance of keeping their gaming accounts secure with strong, unique passwords.
Avoid using the same password across different gaming platforms or accounts.
Review the game’s privacy settings to understand what data is being collected and shared.
Teach them to never share personal information in site and with other gamers.
7. Exposure to Violent or Aggressive Behavior
Some online games, like first-person shooter or battle royale games, can contain violent contents. Constant exposure to these types of games may encourage aggressive behavior in kids.
How to stay safe :
Choose and allow to play games that align with your family values and age appropriate content.
Tell them that virtual violence and aggression in game might create problems in real world life.
Monitor what kind games they are playing.
Note : We can go deep on this topic. But for now, this is it. Stay tuned for next guide.
Cybersafesteps.org
Photo by Anton Porsche via Pexels
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