Educating Your Children: A Guide to Gaming Safely Online

The rise of the internet has created a new frontier for parents and children. Now, kids interact, share, and create real-time content, often without realising the implications of their digital actions. This is where parents play a crucial role as digital role models, shaping their child's online behaviour. The internet can be an exciting, rewarding place for children to learn, grow, and communicate, but with proper guidance, they can avoid falling into unhealthy patterns and unsafe situations.

When we were younger, the games we played usually didn’t have a multiplayer option, often developers only added it as an afterthought, the internet was slow and sometimes even a luxury. However, that is not the case today, most games now have online play options and some of the most popular games kids play today are online games like Fortnite, Roblox, Call of Duty, etc. But as fun as those games are, your kids could be exposed to a much wider range of risks, such as: cyberbullying, inappropriate mature content, and even online predators.

In this article, we will outline some common dangers while gaming online and explore how you, as a parent, can protect your kids and teach them about safety online and how to foster their own digital responsibility, equipping them with the tools to navigate this ever-evolving world.

What Are the Dangers?

Cyberbullying

Nearly 42% of kids are bullied online, and almost one in four have had it happen more than once. This is thought to be because a lot of information we give on the internet is anonymous, so many people see it as a “carte blanche” as far as their behaviour is concerned. Unfortunately, this anonymity can lead to extremely poor sportsmanship and bullying fellow teammates as a source of fun. Cyberbullying can take many forms, commonly called “whispering” where players send targeted, hurtful messages, it is found to be most prevalent in first person shooters like Fortnite and Call of Duty.

Privacy

Another one is staying private. Young children often don't understand the implications of sharing personal information online so when your kids create their online profiles, you should make them as far removed from their real lives as possible. A name like “Trent12Queens” gives away far too much information. Teach them the importance of keeping personal details (like their full name, address, phone number, school etc.) private, keep passwords a secret, encourage them to only interact with people they know, and report any suspicious activity immediately.

Webcams

Since day one, these have been a security nightmare and far too easy to hack. We see no reason your child should have one on their gaming rig. All you need is a cool-looking headset and nothing more. If you already bought a gaming laptop with a webcam, try to cover it or use some cyber security software that offers protection.

Loot Boxes

The worst offenders regarding loot boxes and other hidden fees are free-to-play online games. Most don’t put their core gameplay behind a paywall so that their user base remains high. Other things, however, are locked behind a paywall and can get pretty expensive and exploitative. For example, Fortnite had to pay $520 million for tricking kids, violating their privacy, and manipulating them into spending money. So you must be careful never to give out your credit card information to a game, lock your credit card behind a password, and if you do spend money on a game, make it single-use only. Have a read through our blogs on 'The Hidden Costs in Gaming' and 'Mastering Microtransactions' for more information on this.

Safe Online Gaming Tips

The Role of Parents/Guardians

As parents, our influence is profound. Kids are highly perceptive; they observe, mimic, and internalise our behaviours, whether real or digital. By demonstrating good digital habits—such as limiting personal information shared online, engaging in respectful communication, and thinking critically about online content—you can model the behaviour you want your child to emulate. Try to react if you see red flags, like your child complaining about bullying, or if you see them crying or just looking/feeling anxious after a gaming session.

Additionally, you need to understand the types of content your child is exposed to. Limit their browsing and check what games are appropriate, what their age ratings are, and search for reviews online if you're unsure. Unrestricted access to the internet is great when you have the right tools to process it correctly, but kids usually don’t and can end up in dark corners of the internet, exposed to some scary stuff. Many platforms offer parental controls that allow you to manage what content your child can view. However, these tools could be more foolproof, so ongoing supervision and communication are critical.

Equally important is having open conversations about what's appropriate and why! Teach them the concept of their digital footprint, and reinforce the idea that the internet is a public space where their actions can (and do) have real consequences. Anything you share can be permanent—even if you delete it later.

Establishing Online Boundaries and Rules

Creating a safe environment for your children starts with setting clear guidelines. Just as they have set rules and expectations for their behaviour in school, in public, or around the house, you must also do the same for their internet use. The key here is consistency and clarity!

Begin by establishing limits on screen time. All the games they play are made to be super fun and as addicting as possible. You can’t expect your young child to have the self-control necessary so you need to set reasonable limits which not only protects your child's well-being but also teaches them to balance digital and real-world activities. One practical approach is creating a family media plan which outlines when, where, and how all family members can use their devices. Involving your kids in creating this plan gives them a sense of ownership and responsibility. They'll be more likely to follow the rules if they've had a hand setting them and they can see you as a parent/guardian following them too. If you would like to know more about the dangers of unlimited screen time and how to set appropriate limits for your child, check out our blog 'Should we set limits on screen time?'

While it's crucial to emphasise privacy and security, teaching empathy and respect online is equally essential to being a responsible digital citizen. Unfortunately, the anonymity of the internet can encourage thoughtless behaviour, especially among young users. Help them understand the concept of cyberbullying and the toll it can take on someone's mental and emotional well-being. Teach them to recognise hurtful behaviour so that they not only refrain from such behaviour themselves but they also stand up against it and support peers who may be targeted. It's also important to discuss tolerance and diversity. The Internet is a global platform that connects people from all walks of life so it is a wonderful opportunity for children to learn about different cultures, experiences, and perspectives. However, it's also a space where harmful stereotypes and prejudices can flourish, such as racism, sexism, or homophobia. Teach your child the importance of being open-minded and respectful toward others.

Never let them meet any of their 'online' friends without you around. If you choose to meet up, do so in daylight in a public place full of people. There are voice modulators that can impersonate anyone at any age, this precaution is always a must!

Navigating Misinformation Online

One of the most vital skills for young people is thinking critically about the information they encounter online. We live in a world where anyone can publish anything on the internet so it is essential for children to understand that not everything online is true and be able to evaluate the credibility of what they see. Teach them to spot unreliable sources, and encourage them to ask questions: Who is behind this? What's the purpose of the message? Does it seem biased or one-sided? By fostering a habit of inquiry, you're giving your child the best tools to be a discerning consumer.

In Conclusion

Finally, remember that the digital landscape is constantly changing. New apps, platforms, and trends are continually emerging, and staying informed about these developments will help you stay engaged with your child's online life. Demonstrating good online habits and behaviour, setting clear and firm boundaries, and having ongoing discussions about appropriate behaviour on and offline, builds a great foundation for your children to be responsible and navigate the online world safely. Some of my best childhood memories are tied to online gaming and connecting with people worldwide. Doing so can be incredibly fun and rewarding, but as the saying goes, better to be safe than sorry.