Each year, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) deals with thousands of kids who are victimized through internet activities. Many of those activities occur through online gaming. Here are a few tips from NCMEC we can all use to ensure our kids are enjoying online gaming safely.
Know the techUnderstand the settings and features on your childās devices. Many games use cross-play, allowing communication across consoles, phones, and tablets.
Keep it supervisedPlace gaming systems in common areas and stay aware of where else your child may play, like a friendās house or community center.
Protect personal infoRemind children never to share personal details while gaming ā including names, locations, or information hidden in screen names or profiles. They should never agree to meet someone they only know online.
Set boundariesCreate rules for play time, age-appropriate games, and who they can play with. Use parental controls and secure settings with a PIN.
Watch purchasesHave your child ask before using any credit or debit cards online. Avoid auto-saving payment information on devices.
Know how to reportReview in-game reporting tools and moderators with your child. You can also report inappropriate online interactions at CyberTipline.org.
Chat āin real lifeā with your children. With our social lives beingconducted entirely online these days, itās important to have face-to-face discussions about how children and teens are maintaining healthy relationships online, and to give them opportunities to also talk about anything unhealthy or uncomfortable happening to them online
