Children who play online games can escape into a world where nobody knows their age, school or address. This anonymity can allow predators to gain their trust, then exploit them. Make sure your kids know that they should never share their real names, school or other identifying information with anyone while gaming.
1. Do Not Share Personal Information
Online gaming can be a great way to socialize and connect with people from around the world. However, it can also be dangerous for kids because they are communicating with strangers who may have bad intentions.
When a person’s name, real address, school name or other personal information is shared, it can be used by threat actors to gain access to accounts and steal money, photos and other sensitive data. This can be prevented by adjusting privacy settings, using an alias and avoiding voice chat when possible.
In addition, it’s important to vary usernames and passwords across games, platforms and accounts.
2. Don’t Give Out Personal Information
Online gaming allows gamers to interact with people from all over the world. However, that does not mean that players should give out personal information to strangers while playing games.
It is easy for gamers to share too much information when they play online. From using their real name in a username to telling other players about their location, it is important for gamers to limit the amount of personal information they share when they play online.
Hackers can use this information to steal a player’s identity or gain access to their computer. It is also important for gamers to be cautious of the apps they download as many can cause malware and infections.
3. Talk to Your Child About Inappropriate Content
Online gaming can be dangerous if your child is exposed to inappropriate content. This can include images, videos or written words that are upsetting or disturbing. It is important to talk to your child about this topic so that they understand how to keep themselves safe playground.
It is normal for children to be curious about things they see online. They may even search terms that are considered inappropriate without realizing it.
Encourage your child to always tell you if they encounter any upsetting or damaging content online. This will help them develop internal filters that will keep them safer when they play online games.
4. Talk to Your Child About Strangers
Many video games allow players to communicate via voice, text or video chat with strangers. Considering how popular this has become it’s important that children are aware of the risks associated with playing online and understand what to do should they be confronted with unwanted attention or bullying.
While communication with strangers can be exciting and fun for kids, it can also provide predators with the information they need to gain a child’s trust and coax personal information such as their school name, home address or even their age. This can be used to stalk children, hack their accounts or even break into homes through connected devices.
5. Set Limits for Your Child’s Time
Many video games have chat functions, and your children should be reminded to never share personal information in these conversations. Encourage them to play in private, and to use tools to mute or block players that behave inappropriately.
Make sure that your child’s gaming doesn’t interfere with homework, chores, sleep, or physical activity. Try setting a schedule for your kids to follow so that they can play their games during specific times of the day.
Be a role model and follow the same rules that you are setting for your children. If your child tries to defy the rules, you can say something like “for every minute that you play over an hour, I’m taking away one day of game time.”
6. Don’t Allow Your Child to Play Online Games with Strangers
Online gaming can be a great way for kids to stay connected with friends and keep their skills sharp, but it is important to set limits on their time spent playing. It is also important to make sure they understand the dangers of gaming and who they play with.
Encourage them to never share personal information, including their name, school name or address, and not to play with players they don’t know. Teach them to avoid downloading “cheat” programs that could expose their devices to malware and viruses.
Encourage them to mute or ignore players who make them feel uncomfortable and to tell their parents or other trusted adult if someone makes them feel unsafe.
7. Talk to Your Child About the Importance of Privacy
While online gaming is a fun and healthy activity for kids, it is important to discuss privacy with your child. Explain that if they want to keep their private conversations with friends, they should respect each other’s privacy. Teach them to ask permission before touching someone else’s things or entering their room.
Teach them that what they share online can be seen by anyone, including teachers, college admissions officers and future bosses. They should follow the “WWGS?” rule: if they wouldn’t want grandma to see it, they shouldn’t post it.
