Six ways to make online gaming safe for children

In the absence of outdoor games due to the lockdown, a lot of children have turned to online games. Usually, awareness about the potential cyber risks and ways to protect against them is low amongst children. This makes them more vulnerable to cyber crimes.

A lot of cyber criminals pose as teenagers to befriend children. They then exploit children in many ways including bullying, sexual abuse, and financial crimes. Affected children often become reticent and carry the burden of this abuse throughout their lives. But, that does not mean we should prohibit our children from playing online games.

Communicate with children

Open communication with children to educate them about the dangers of online gaming can help them be more careful. Parents can inform children about the points they should be wary of when playing online games. They can also share ways in which children can steer clear of in-game abuse.

Here, we list down some ways parents can help their children play safely on the internet:

Don’t talk to strangers: We teach children not to engage with random people in the real world. The same holds true for the online world. Parents must make it very clear to their children that they should not talk to strangers on online gaming platforms. Neither should they click any links that promise rewards or free lives.

1. Use proxy names: Almost all games need players to select a username. Encourage children to use proxy names instead of their real names. Instead of using their pictures, children can use avatars or random pictures as the display picture. If it is not mandatory, skip this step altogether.
2. Use unique passwords: Do not let children use existing usernames and passwords of other accounts for their profiles. Encourage them to create and use unique passwords for each gaming platform and app they access.
3. Do not share personal details with strangers: Educate children that in no circumstance they should share their details such as birth dates, residence addresses, or parents’ credit card details with anyone on gaming platforms.
4. Monitor the games children play: Invest some time researching for games and apps that are age-appropriate for your child. For older kids monitor the games they download.
5. Be around with kids: Try to be present with children when they play online games. Encourage children to ditch closed rooms and play in open areas at home. This will help you keep an eye on the child’s activities and intervene if things start to turn ugly.

As online gaming gains popularity among children, it is essential now, more than ever, for parents to prepare their kids to steer clear of the dangers of the digital world.

The article has been written by Neetu Katyal, Content and Marketing Consultant

She can be reached on LinkedIn.