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Safe Connections Guide

Much like music and film, gaming covers a wide variety of genres, appealing to an array of different audiences and interests. Gaming is always looking todevelop, often improving on graphical features, accessibility and user engagement as years go by. Millions of players, countless adventures, and endless possibilities are available in the world of gaming.
Explore our step-by-step parental controls guides for games to help you understand the available tools. Review where they are with your child and give examples of when to use these features. Games where users communicate with each other generally have tools to block and report users.
More than 8 in 10 teens say they have a game console at home or have access to one, and 90% say they play video games on a computer, game console or cellphone, according to the Pew Research Center. Yes, this guide includes supportive steps and resources for families facing these challenges. This resource is 100% free to help parents and caregivers navigate digital safety conversations. We’ve put together a helpful guide that covers connecting with people online, identifying grooming behavior, and covers the increasing threat of sextortion.
Note that you might have to restart your device for the updates to fully install. Just because a game is available on a trusted app store, doesn’t guarantee it is a safe app to download. Using a password manager has never been easier – many smartphones and web browsers include password managers. And, yes, you should have a unique password for each online account. The strongest passwords are at least 12 characters long and include letters, numbers and symbols.

Check your settings

Artificial intelligence (AI) can pose several risks to children who engage in online gaming. Boundaries may need to be re-established, but it’s often more effective to gradually reduce gaming time and replace it with other engaging, real-world activities. If a child has already developed signs of this disorder, it’s crucial for parents to respond with empathy rather than anger. Teaching children to be self-aware of how gaming affects their mood and behavior can encourage healthier habits, and parents should model balanced tech use themselves to reinforce the importance of moderation. It’s also helpful to guide children toward games that have natural stopping points and avoid those designed to be endlessly engaging or addictive. Preventing online gaming addiction in children starts with creating a healthy balance in their daily lives.

Manage screen time

• This means that if your child browses the console store, they can only access appropriate games.
• Playing video games can provide children and young people with endless opportunities.
• This will naturally lead to conversations about the game and will also help you understand your child’s interest.
• Additionally, online multiplayer games often lack sufficient moderation, allowing inappropriate language, behaviors, and even predatory interactions to occur.
• Gaming refers to playing electronic games, whether through consoles, computers, tablets, smartphones or other devices.
• We’ve put together a helpful guide that covers connecting with people online, identifying grooming behavior, and covers the increasing threat of sextortion.
• Remember, many game makers default to the least secure settings, and you shouldn’t assume those default settings are set to what you would like.

I was experiencing a lot of turmoil as a fifth, sixth grader, transitioning into middle school …I found a lot of solace in online gaming… I finally met a friend, his name was Adam, I was 12 years old. Online games allow for a high degree of interactivity, where players can directly impact the game world and outcomes through their actions. “As both a parent and licensed therapist, I’ve seen firsthand how digital threats affect young people’s mental health. Learning about social media safety for kids is crucial in today’s connected world.
The guide includes easy-to-follow discussion scripts to help you start these critical conversations. Whether you’re deciding when kids should get their first phone or how to prepare kids for online access, this guide covers essential steps. Before downloading any new gaming app on your device, make sure it’s legitimate. Find out how children and young people socialise online and what to be aware of. Additionally, conversations about harm like hate, cyberbullying and scams can help your child avoid coming to harm. Importantly, make sure you include the types of games they can play and with whom they can play when setting boundaries.

Awareness of appropriate age restrictions

Hurtful comments online can have a real impact on your mental health — if you feel like hurting yourself, you should reach out to someone you trust immediately. We have a database with info on blocking people on a bunch of platforms. They don’t need to know your real name or any other personal information — they just need to find out how awesome you are at the game. Think about how much personal information you provide on gaming account profiles. The more information you post, the easier it may be for a criminal to use that information to steal your identity, access your data, or commit other crimes, such as stalking. If a gaming system requires you to tie a specific payment method to your account, choose a credit card over a debit card.

Further, online gaming incorporates the free use of video and audio chat, as well as voice-masking technology which increases new channels of access by a sexual predator to a child. Gaming consoles operate much in the same way as a computer—children can log online, put on a headset, turn on a spin legend casino webcam, and talk to and play with any of the millions of gamers around the world. Thorn, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting children from sexual exploitation in the digital age, developed this guide with child safety experts. This guide provides exactly what parents need to navigate these difficult conversations with confidence and care.”— Rachel R., Licensed Clinical Social Worker

• Parents should also watch for emotional or behavioral changes, as gaming addiction can sometimes be linked to anxiety, depression, or social withdrawal.
• In the digital age, it is so much easier for young people to connect and form relationships with individuals they only know online.
• Lastly, VR gaming typically involves physical movement, which, while beneficial for exercise, can increase the risk of injury if children aren’t properly monitored or if the play area isn’t safe.
• This resource is 100% free to help parents and caregivers navigate digital safety conversations.
• Parental controls should be utilized on all internet-enabled devices and platforms including desktops, laptops, gaming consoles, mobile phones, music devices and related apps.

It is commonly used in everyday language, particularly by concerned parents, educators, or the media, and does not have a standardized definition or recognized medical criteria. If kids play online, that is a pornographer’s heyday for marketing, grooming and hooking young consumers. The lack of strict age verification and effective parental controls can make it difficult to shield young players from these influences, raising serious concerns about their safety and well-being in digital environments. Additionally, online multiplayer games often lack sufficient moderation, allowing inappropriate language, behaviors, and even predatory interactions to occur.