Do you want to know how to keep your kids safe when they’re gaming online? Hold on tight. This is going to be a bumpy ride. Before we dive into how to keep your child safe, we need to talk about the current state of affairs in the online gaming space. 85% of young people play video games. If your child is anything like the average kid, they’re spending hours in front of the screen every week. And while gaming is fun, social and harmless for the most part, there’s a dark side that most parents are completely unaware of. That being said, there’s good news.
With the right information and technology in your parenting toolbox, you can keep your child safe from the online gaming dangers that you may not have heard about. And that’s what this article is all about.
Keep reading to discover:
- The Dangers Your Kids Face Online
- How to Recognize the Warning Signs of Gaming Issues
- Tools That Keep Your Kids Safe Online
- Parenting Boundaries That Work
The Shocking Dangers of Online Gaming
Gaming platforms have become hotbeds for predators and cybercriminals.
According to Kayla’s Survivors, a child protection organization that investigated popular gaming platforms such as Roblox and others:
Online platforms children use for gaming are riddled with child sexual exploitation and other forms of content. Predators use these spaces to target, groom, and victimize children. The problem isn’t only the interaction with the predators, though this is a highly concerning problem, as children also experience violence, graphic sexual content, and hateful language and imagery.
Predators are everywhere on gaming platforms. They use every opportunity to trick your child into trusting them. And what’s worse is that most kids are completely oblivious to the risk they’re in. They’re having fun with their friends. Why would they think anything was wrong? The problem is growing year over year. Cybercriminals targeted 30% more young gamers in the first six months of 2024 compared to the same time last year.
Why Most Parents Are Completely In The Dark
If you’re like most parents, you don’t have a clue what your kids are up to in the games they’re playing.
Here’s why:
Your child is in their room. Headphones on. Talking to other “players” online. But do you actually know who those other players are? Or what they’re saying?
Probably not.
You might have an inkling of what they’re playing and where they’re at online. But chances are, it’s nothing like the complex, modern gaming environment your child is in. These days games have:
- Live chat functions where strangers can send your child messages
- Voice communication features that you can’t monitor
- In-game purchase options that empty your bank account
- Content that includes graphic violence and hate speech that hasn’t been moderated or flagged
The platforms do everything to allow kids to make connections without their parents knowing. And that’s the biggest danger.
Cyberbullying In Gaming
Before we go any further, let’s talk about cyberbullying in online gaming platforms.
Gaming platforms are the perfect setting for cyberbullies to pick on other children. Kids are constantly at risk for all kinds of emotional, psychological, and even physical bullying while gaming online.
This can have dire consequences on your child, such as:
- Withdrawing from family and friends
- Developing anxiety or depression
- Sleep problems
- Loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed
Many kids won’t say anything to their parents. They’re too embarrassed or just think they can handle it on their own.
Predators In Online Games
This is the thing that keeps me up at night…
Predators are everywhere in online gaming. These predators know EXACTLY what to say and how to act in order to gain a child’s trust.
Here are their tactics:
Predators make a concerted effort to gain a child’s trust in the game. They act like their child’s teammate, or “bestie”. These criminals work to keep the child from connecting with people in the real world. They present themselves as the “only person who understands” the child. Predators groom their victims for exploitation. As soon as trust is established, they nudge their child for private conversations, photos of the child, or even to meet them IRL. The process is systematic and consistent. And it’s more common than you might realize.
The Spending Danger
Here’s another issue parents are dealing with in online games.
Kids can lose control over their spending fast when gaming online. Games are designed to entice kids into buying loot boxes, limited time offers, and other in-game currency options that disguise the spending of real money. Kids don’t have an adult concept of money value. One click and hundreds of dollars could be gone.
The Essential Tools to Protect Your Kids
Ok so how do you protect your kids?
It all starts with these basic safety measures…
Parental Controls
Parental controls are a must. Every gaming platform has these built-in safety tools. But most parents never enable them. Parental controls allow you to:
- Control who can communicate with your child. Set limits on chat and who can add your child as a friend.
- Restrict in-game purchases. Set up a password for all transactions.
- Set time limits on gaming.
- Filter out age-inappropriate content.
Set up parental controls on every gaming platform your child uses. Don’t put it off. Do it now. It’s one of the best things you can do to keep your child safe online.
Communicate with Your Child
Communication with your child is KEY.
They need to know they can come to you with anything. Any question. Any concern. Without judgment or an overreaction. Ask them questions. Talk to them about what games they’re playing, who they’re playing with, and if anyone has said or done anything that’s made them uncomfortable. Make it part of an ongoing conversation with your child.
Don’t interrogate them.
Understand the Games
One of the best ways to protect your child is to know the games they’re playing. Spend time watching your child play, research the age-appropriateness and content of the game, and play the game yourself. It will help you establish a bond with your child and make it easier to spot problems.
Set Boundaries
Kids need boundaries. Without them, gaming can take over their life and their focus.
Boundaries to consider:
- Screen time limits. Gaming has no place during homework time, family time, etc.
- Gaming locations. Keep consoles in common areas where you can monitor them. Don’t let them game in their rooms.
- Friend lists. Gaming kids should only have friends that they’ve met and know in real life.
- Personal information. Kids should never share their real name, address, school, photos, or any other information that could identify them.
Establish these rules clearly and stick with them.
The Warning Signs of Problem Gaming
Ok, so how do you know if your child is having a problem with gaming? Keep an eye out for the following:
Your child becomes secretive about what they’re doing and who they’re doing it with online. Screens are hidden from you. You get defensive responses when you ask questions. Your child’s mood is more extreme. Things should not be this good or this bad for them when gaming. Your child is spending time with people online that you’ve never heard of. This is especially true if these other people are much older than your child or from other countries.
Charges are appearing on your credit card for apps and games you’ve never heard of. Your child is exhausted all the time. Gaming late into the night is wreaking havoc on your child’s sleep and health.
If you see any of these warning signs, it’s time to have a heart-to-heart with your child.
Conclusion
Online gaming safety is no longer optional for parents.
Gaming dangers are increasing year over year, and parents need to be proactive in keeping their kids safe.
You can start today by setting parental controls on your child’s gaming platforms, talking to them openly and honestly about online safety, and understanding the games they’re playing.
Establish ground rules with them and keep an eye out for warning signs.
Your kids are depending on you to protect them. The time and energy you put into your child’s online safety now could spare them significant heartache later in life. Take this seriously – for their sakes.
