Online gaming is a fantastic way for kids to relax, have fun, and interact with both friends and other gaming enthusiasts around the world. But, like any other type of online interaction, it’s essential for them to stay safe and protected. Online gaming safety isn’t something to take lightly. As a parent, consider it your responsibility to teach your kids how to stay safe while they’re gaming online, and to put safeguards in place that will protect them from potential dangers. .
By putting safety rules and precautions in place, you’ll maximize the benefits of online gaming for your children and teens.
With that in mind, let’s cover some effective tips you can use to make sure your kids are having a great time playing without having to worry about what they’re playing or who they’re connecting with.
Offer Your Guidance for Online Gaming Safety
It can be tempting to take full control over what games your child is playing and how they’re connecting to other gamers online. In some cases, that’s necessary, especially if you have younger kids who might be more naive about the online gaming experience.
But, if your kids are old enough to make the right decisions, consider offering your guidance as a parent, rather than going the “parental control” route.
What does that look like?
Instead of setting parental controls for your children, talk to them about some of the dangers of being online, even in a gaming setting. Make sure they know about privacy settings and why they’re in place. Kids tend to pay more attention to something when they understand the “why” behind it. So, consider comparing privacy settings to home security. Your child wouldn’t want to be home alone with all of the windows and doors unlocked or opened. Playing a video game without privacy settings is essentially the same thing in a digital space.
The clearer you can be about the importance of using digital safety tools, the more likely your child is to take them seriously and adhere to them when you’re not around.
Educate and Empower
In addition to talking to your kids about why certain security tools are important, it could be even more essential to warn them of some of the risks of being online. That doesn’t mean you have to scare them. Rather, informing them about people who could be out to do harm can help them feel both educated and empowered as they’re playing.
For example, many online games require you to create an account. Your child might have to use your email address, or create one of their own, in order to do that. So, it’s important to educate them about how to protect themselves from phishing scams. Make them aware of some of the components of a “phishing” email, including:
- It’s unsolicited
- Spelling or grammatical errors
- A sense of urgency
- A call to action
You can help your child fight back against these scams by enforcing multi-factor authentication and using email protection. But, the best defense is education.
While your child is playing games , they can be vulnerable to cyberattacks if they don’t know how to play safely online. Video games are often very social, and it can be fun to interact with other players. But, at the end of the day, the other players are still strangers online. Make sure your child knows what information shouldn’t be shared, as well as any troubling phrases, questions, or suggestions they should avoid answering.
Join in the Fun
Video games are designed to be fun for everyone – including adults. The last thing your child wants is to feel like you don’t trust them with online gaming. So, why not play a game with them? You can easily turn family game night into family video game night. Not only will you be able to participate in the kind of games your child is interested in, but you’ll get a better idea of how they play, who they’re talking to, and how the entire “world” works in that particular game. It’s a great way to learn about what they’re doing and what they’re playing without making them feel like you’re trying to control everything.
Plus, if gaming is your child’s biggest hobby or interest, they’ll love sharing that with you. It shows that you value what they’re interested in and you want to learn more about it. That can serve as a great bonding experience and might even help your child be more open about what they see and experience while gaming.
Remember, you’re still in control over all of the digital devices in your home. There’s a fine line between trusting your child, giving them the freedom to play online, and keeping them safe. There will be times when you might have to set stricter boundaries and enforce parental controls. Safety should always be the top priority. But, for the time being, use these options to help keep your child safe while they’re gaming. They might surprise you with how quickly they pick up on safety rules and habits, and how conscious they are about protecting themselves from obvious threats.
Charlie Fletcher is a freelance writer from the lovely “city of trees”- Boise, Idaho. Her love of writing pairs with her passion for social activism and search for the truth. You can find more of her writing on her Contently.
