With online gaming becoming an everyday activity for millions of kids worldwide, parents face a growing challenge: keeping their children safe in this complex digital world. The online gaming space can be fun and social, but it also carries risks that every parent should be aware of—from cyberbullying and exposure to inappropriate content to potential online predators. In this Parental Guide to Online Gaming Safety, we’ll walk you through the latest strategies and tools for protecting your kids in online gaming environments. Let’s
1. Understand the Risks Involved in Online Gaming
Before your child embarks on any new journey with a hobby, the first step is to understand the risks. The same way you would learn about the risks of learning gymnastics if your child was interested in it, you need to understand the potential risks of gaming. Let’s look at a list of the primary risks you should be aware of.
- Cyberbullying: In online gaming, children may face cyberbullying or harassment from other players, leading to anxiety and self-esteem issues. Many games, like Fortnite, are online multiplayer games and are quite competitive. These gaming environments may involve toxic gamers that bully or harass others.
- Inappropriate Content: Be aware of the games your child is playing. Some games themselves may expose your child to sexual content. Additionally, they may be exposed to inappropriate content through gaming chats where gamers send links to inappropriate content or these interactions may expose children to violence, explicit language, or unsuitable content.
- Online Predators: The anonymity of online gaming allows predators to approach young players under the guise of friendship. Anonymity is what has led to Roblox’s Pedophile Problem, however Roblox is not the only place this is happening.
- Privacy Concerns: Children may knowingly or unknowingly share personal information that can compromise their safety. By sharing their personal information, or trusting the wrong person online, children may find their accounts hacked, bank accounts hacked or their identities stolen. Keeping information private will help your child avoid privacy violations.
By being aware of these risks, you can take informed actions to protect your kids.
2. Use Parental Control Tools
Parental control features are widely available through both the gaming console or platforms as well as through monitoring apps. These tools allow you to set restrictions on gameplay, monitor interactions, and filter out inappropriate content. Some essential parental control options include:
- Time Limits: Manage how long your kids spend on games each day. This can be done on devices directly, such as through Apple Family, or through other apps.
- Content Filtering: Block age-inappropriate games and content. Ensure that your child uses their real age when creating gaming accounts. For example, on Roblox, an 8 year old and a 15 year old won’t have access to the same content as children under 13 are more protected.
- Communication Controls: Limit who can message or chat with your child during gameplay. In many games such as Roblox and Fortnite, you can select who can and cannot chat with your child.
- Monitoring Apps: Looking for more? Consider more advanced tools, like Kidas’ ProtectMe, which monitor in-game voice and text communication in real-time, alerting you to potential threats. ProtectMe alerts parents when their child comes in contact with any of the above listed threats and more in over 400 of gaming’s most popular titles.
3. Educate Your Kids on Safe Online Behavior
Like anything else, children need to be taught how to be safe. We teach our children how to look both ways when crossing the street to ensure they don’t get hit. The same goes for online gaming. Before you allow your child to head into a public or private chat online with others, educate them on appropriate and safe online behavior. Talking openly with your children about online safety can help them develop healthy digital habits. These are some guidelines you should discuss:
- Keeping your personal information to yourself: Remind kids not to share their real name, age, location, or school. These pieces of information make it very easy for someone online to find your child in the real world. Additionally, remind them never to share their password or login information with anyone. In gaming, bad actors or other gamers will try to gain login credentials to scam your child. Lastly, ensure that they don’t share personal information like the name of their pets or other personal details as many kids use these personal details when creating their passwords.
- Report Suspicious Behavior: Encourage them to come to you if they feel uncomfortable or threatened by another player. As soon as they feel something is off, they should come and ask for help. Ensure that your child knows that they won’t be in trouble and that you will help them handle the situation properly.
- Stay in Private Games: When possible, encourage your child to play with friends in private game rooms rather than public ones. While there are still risks in private chats, you can lessen their exposure to additional risks by staying in private chats with people they know.
4. Be Involved in Your Child’s Gaming Life
The best way to understand what your child is experiencing online is by playing games with them. Your child will love teaching you about their favorite game. Whether they are 6 or 16, they will definitely be interested in playing video games with you! Ask about their favorite games, and stay informed about the gaming platforms they use. Knowing the environments your child navigates will help you recognize potential risks and talk to them about responsible gaming.
5. Choose Safe and Kid-Friendly Games
Not all games are equally safe, and choosing kid-friendly games can reduce exposure to inappropriate content and toxic communities. Look for games with positive reviews on safety, community, and parental control features. Check out the ESRB rating to ensure that the game is appropriate for your child. Some popular and safer gaming options for kids include Minecraft, Animal Crossing, and Super Mario Odyssey.
6. Monitor Real-Time Threats with Advanced Tools
For added peace of mind, consider tools that go beyond standard parental controls, like real-time monitoring. Kidas’ ProtectMe, for instance, detects threats in real-time by analyzing voice and text communication in online games, alerting parents if it detects toxic language, bullying, or potential predator approaches. This advanced technology provides parents with actionable insights and keeps you one step ahead of online dangers.
7. Set a Good Example
Lastly, remember that kids often model their online behavior on what they see from adults. Your children are always watching you and what you do, so set a good example by demonstrating respectful behavior in your own online activities. Encourage kindness, responsible communication, and if you are a gamer, healthy gaming habits.
Conclusion
Online gaming safety is a shared responsibility between parents, children, and the gaming platforms themselves. By staying informed, educating your kids, and using the latest safety tools like ProtectMe from Kidas, you can help ensure that your child’s online gaming experience is positive, fun, and safe.