6 Online Gaming Safety Tips for Adults, Parents, and Kids

children and technology Sep 03, 2018

by editorial team

 

Do you or your child spend a lot of time playing games online? If the answer is “yes,” then we have online gaming safety tips for you.

Online gaming can help build social skills in adults and children. However, there are risks associated with letting your child play games online. Below are a few tips to keep them (and you) safe!

 

The Benefits and Risks of Online Gaming

Many online games involve multiplayer or teamwork elements, which makes online gaming a great way to develop adult or children's social skills. However, interacting with other players online comes with its downsides too.

Cyberbullying, abuse, and harassment from other players can be common. There’s also plenty of inappropriate and even violent content in video games.

Below are our top tips for keeping your child safe while online gaming! These tips apply to adults, too.

 

6 Online Gaming Safety Tips for Parents

1. Monitor your child’s online activities

To easily spot troubling content or abusive players, keep your gaming console or PC in the open and limit the use of headsets.

Showing interest in what your child is doing online can also go a long way. You can even get a second controller and play co-op games together as a family activity!

2. Teach your child how to handle cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is a pretty common issue in the online gaming world, so make sure your child knows how to handle toxic players.

For example, almost all online games have a “mute” option, where you can mute other players. If the issue is more serious, both console and PC games have ways to report players for inappropriate behavior. There is also a block feature to prevent players from contacting your child again.

3. Protect your personal information

Don’t link any of your social media accounts to the gaming profile, and make sure your child does not disclose any personal details in their bio.

Also, make sure your child knows what they can and cannot discuss with other players online. It’s not always as obvious to them as it is to you!

4. Make use of parental controls

It is unlikely that your child will limit their game time on their own. You can do it for them using parental controls, which are built into all gaming consoles.

You can enter specific limitations for the amount of time children play and which video games they access. In addition, you can password-protect the digital store to prevent your child from accidentally racking up a huge bill.

5. Research the game 

While games are legally required to provide an ESRB rating on the package, it is often quite vague and does not encompass all aspects of online play.

Before buying a game for your child, do a little more legwork by checking online forums or watching the game being played on sites like Twitch.

6. Stay in charge of downloading and installing

Searching for illegal copies of games or mods can lead your child down a rabbit hole of unsavory content and infect your computer with a virus.

Make sure your child knows this, and utilize parental control options that allow you to block downloads on your console or PC.

 

Final Thoughts

If you’ve got our safety tips up your sleeve, the world of online gaming does not have to be scary.

Want more tips for keeping you and your child safe online?

Go ahead and check out our 21 Day Digital Detox program here.

 

 

Stay connected with nontoxic lifestyle news and updates!

Receive our free Ruan Living Nontoxic Cleaning Guide when you join our email list.
Don't worry, your information will not be shared.

We hate SPAM. We will never sell your information, for any reason.

About Ruan Living

Ruan Living simplifies a nontoxic lifestyle through its Practical Nontoxic Living podcast, free detox workshops, online D-Tox Academy, and transformative 40-Day Home Detox. It aims to help you avoid toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from what you buy, own, and do— without compromising your joy and convenience. Ruan was founded by Sophia Ruan Gushée, author of the bestselling critically acclaimed book A to Z of D-Toxing: The Ultimate Guide to Reducing Your Toxic Exposures and several detox workbooks. A graduate of Brown University and Columbia Business School, Sophia has served on the Brown University School of Public Health Advisory Council and Well+Good Council. A popular nontoxic living speaker, consultant, and teacher, Sophia lives in New York City with her husband and three daughters. Her passion for empowering others to enjoy nontoxic living began with the birth of her first daughter in 2007. Everything she creates is a love letter to her children and for the healthiest, brightest future possible. You can learn more here: Sophia’s Impact.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only. This information is provided “as is” without warranty.

It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. We do not offer medical advice, course of treatment, diagnosis, or any other opinion on your conditions or treatment options. To the extent that this article features the advice of physicians or medical practitioners, the views expressed are the views of the cited expert and do not necessarily represent the views of Ruan Living.

In no event will Sophia Ruan Gushee or Ruan Living be liable for any damages or loss of any kind resulting from the use of this website. Anyone relying upon or making use of the information on this website does so at his or her own risk.

Some of the services and products recommended on this website provide compensation to Sophia Ruan Gushee or Ruan Living. All recommendations are based foremost upon an honest belief that the product, service, or site will benefit our site visitors in some way.  

Detox Your Inbox

Easy tips, podcasts, workshops, updates, and more!

SIGN UP

For You

40-Day Home Detox

Book

Blog

D-Tox Academy

Engage

Podcast

Shop

Ruan Living

Our Mission

Sophia Ruan Gushée

Corporate Wellness

D-Tox Academy

Engage

Events

Press

Testimonials

Stay In Touch

[email protected]