Basic Principles of Cyber Safety For Video Gaming Kids

 

Basic Principles of Cyber Safety For Video Gaming Kids

 

Online gaming lets kids relax and entertain themselves while learning valuable life skills such as communication, money management, and strategizing. Parents can also use gaming as a venue for prepping their children to understand the basics of online safety. In order to do this, however, adults have to be aware of the primary risks kids face when they enter the online world. Techgaming Studio offers a few basic principles to help parents give their kids a fun and safe gaming experience.

Don’t share your personal information

Identity theft is a major threat to internet safety, so kids need to know not to share any private information regarding addresses, phone numbers, or financial details. Even minors who don’t have access to credit cards or bank accounts could inadvertently give away their parents’ private information if not warned in advance. Kids should also be advised never to share pictures of themselves or their families or allow strangers to contact them via direct messaging. While children may be engaging with people they don’t know online, sharing information or getting into a private text conversation can be the internet equivalent of getting into a vehicle with a stranger.

Some apps and sites do not allow minors to disclose information about their real names, gender, or ages. This is a good rule of thumb to follow in general: help your child choose a clever username and creative avatar whenever possible.

No clicks without parental approval!

Educate your kids about the dangers of malware, spyware, and computer viruses. You don’t need to be a tech expert to explain to your children that dangerous programs could infiltrate their devices and damage them, steal information, and make content inaccessible. Gamers should be especially wary of any pop-ups, and never click on any links or try to download anything without first checking with a responsible adult. Adults who are uncertain about the origin or safety of a link or pop-up should always err on the side of caution.

Prepare your kids to recognize and address bullying.

Most adults are aware that trafficking can sometimes begin with online predation. However, a more common abuse is cyberbullying. Unlike malware or cyberattacks, bullying cannot be prevented by virus protection programs, strong passwords, or updated devices. It can, however, be shut down once kids learn to walk away from bullying before it escalates. Talk to your children about cyberstalking, sexual harassment, trolling, and different forms of hate speech. Teach them how to use the block function on different platforms, and make sure they know they can always come to you with any concerns or questions about someone’s online behavior.

Be open with your kids about what constitutes inappropriate content.

Anyone who is online may come across material of a graphic or sensitive nature. Children should be aware that this exists and be assured that if anything comes across their screen that seems inappropriately violent or sexual, the right thing to do is to close it immediately. Keeping computers and other gaming devices in a family living area or other shared space is a good way to ensure that a minor won’t inadvertently get drawn into looking at age-inappropriate material.

In return for your child’s trust in you, and willingness to follow your guidelines, do your best to provide them with a fun and rewarding gaming experience. Look into which devices are best for the games they prefer, and how to improve internet speed for multiplayer games that require better connections. Contact your service provider to find out about their best deals for high-speed internet and consider using fiber-optic connections for faster downloads and a more satisfying gaming experience overall. By investing in your child’s safety and helping them get maximum enjoyment from their gaming, you are building a relationship of trust that will endure through the years.

 

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