Online games will always become a part of most kids’ lives simply because we’re already living in the digital age. If you’re a millennial or older, you’ve probably experienced going out more and playing with friends in their houses or somewhere else compared to staying at home playing the computer/tablet/phone or other gaming consoles. As a Gen Z, I’ve been exposed to a lot of online games growing up. Some are good, some are bad, and now that I’m all grown up, I couldn’t imagine the risk or danger I’ve put myself into just because I thought I was making friends. LOL

Well, considering cyber criminals aren’t that much way back, so my situation wasn’t that bad. However, things have changed, and with the drastic advancements in technology, many criminals have been using online platforms to exploit kids. All they need to have are decent internet plans and mobile devices or computers/laptops and they’re all set. So if you’re a parent, an older sibling, or simply someone who cares about the children in your life, keep on reading. 

• Look into the games they’re playing. 

The first thing you need to do is check the games they’re playing. Is it a multiplayer game that requires them to talk to strangers? If so, they’re more at risk of being exposed to cyber criminals who present themselves as kids to “make friends”.  Pay attention to whether the game has chat features, voice communication, or private messaging options. If the game allows direct interaction with strangers, make sure your child understands the importance of not sharing personal details like their full name, address, or school.

• Check their social media accounts and mobile devices. (If they have one)

Assuming you already set up parental control, it’s better to regularly check their social media accounts and mobile devices just to be on the safe side and make sure they’re being used safely. This is more important if your kid, let’s say, already has cell phone service and brings their mobile phones to school. Even with parental controls in place, kids can still encounter inappropriate content or interact with people who may not have good intentions.

• Be as involved as you can in their gaming habits. 

As much as possible, make time to watch them or even play with them during their game time so you can understand what the game is and who they interact with. If you make this a habit, you can easily spot red flags and teach your child immediately when a situation arises. This can also improve your relationship with them, so you should always tell them and make them feel like they can come and talk to you whenever they feel unsafe or uncomfortable. 

• Educate children about online safety. 

Accept it or not, online safety is one of the most valuable things you can teach the kids of this generation. As they grow older, they will continue to use the internet, play more online games, and inevitably interact with people online. So, what you need to teach them is beyond understanding what the internet is, choosing internet providers like Boost Infinite, or knowing how to use different apps. It’s more about knowing how to profile those that are a bit sketchy or learning which links not to click and stuff like that. Those lessons will help them beyond online gaming. 

Wrapping Up

Staying safe online is becoming more challenging even for adults. What more for kids? If you have a child or sibling or a younger relative close to you who is slowly becoming more exposed to the online world, make sure to guide them as much as you can. It will take time, and you might even need to have a little more patience, but it’ll be worth it — at least for their safety. Good luck!