Are your kids avid gamers? If so, they’re not alone. Millions of children in the UK play video games online on consoles, tablets, phones and computers.
From sports to strategy, action to adventure – video games can be a great way for kids to play, learn and create. And with online features, they’re increasingly a way to stay in touch and spend time with friends.
But as games become more advanced and include features allowing children to interact with other players, parents are understandably keen to make sure their children are safe.
We want to help parents navigate the ever-changing world of online video games and have set out some simple steps you can take for greater peace of mind while your child plays online.
What do the stats say? Parents and kids highlight their concerns
Our research shows gaming is the most popular activity for eight- to 17-year-olds to do in their free time. And nearly a third of three- to five-year-olds also play games.
While the majority (91%) of parents of gamers aged three to 17 do put some rules in place for their children, they’re still worried about the risks that gaming can pose, including children talking to stangers while gaming online, seeing violent content or experiencing bullying behaviour by other players.
Nearly half of children aged 13-17 also report concerns about behaviours such as trolling, abuse and intentional harassment.
Check, Chat, Change - what you can do as a parent
We know the gaming world moves fast, and it can be tricky to keep up with the many new features out there. The good news is you don’t have to be a gaming expert to help keep your child safe.
We’ve set out some simple steps you can take, so your child can enjoy all the benefits of online video games, safely.
It’s quick, easy and can make a difference. You simply need to remember Check, Chat, Change.
Check
The first step is to check the settings your child has in place for their gaming consoles or platforms. It’s important to check they’re registered with their correct age.
Gaming platforms and services restrict certain features, games or content for younger users. So having the correct age registered means they’ll have an experience appropriate for their age – rather than the platform thinking your child is older than they are.
Chat
Take a few moments to regularly speak to your child about the games they are playing online and crucially, who with. More than half of children who game online say they play with people who they have not met in the real world.
Encourage them to come to you if they see or experience anything upsetting when gaming, or receive strange messages.
Reassure them they won’t be in trouble for this. You and your child can also use safety tools to block and report users who might be abusive.
Change
Now you know more about the games your kids play and how they use their preferred platforms, change the system settings and parental controls to help your child be safer.
The options vary depending on the console or platform but can include restriction certain types of content, controls on friend requests and messages, playing time limits, privacy and spend caps.
Make a difference
While these steps cannot eliminate all potential risks from gaming, they can make a positive difference to your child’s gaming experience.
You do not need to know every game or every feature. A few quick checks, regular conversations and small changes to settings can help children enjoy gaming more safely.
Sharing this advice can help friends, family and others be safer online too. Download the image below to share on social media and messaging services.
How do online safety rules apply to gaming?
There are important rules in place to protect players gaming online too. The Online Safety Act applies to online services where users can interact with each other, or create, share or upload content. This includes many gaming services.
Sites, apps and services in scope of the Act are required to assess the risk of illegal content and content harmful to children appearing on their service and put measures in place to protect their users.
Ofcom is the UK’s online safety watchdog responsible for enforcing these rules. Services that fail to put measures in place to protect their users should expect enforcement.
Want to know more?
The following organisations also offer useful tips and information about online gaming: