Online Games and Video Game Consoles

How can I make it safer?

Setting things up…

  • When initially setting up any video game console for the first time, be sure you are present to setup any parental controls and create passwords for the parental control features. You can control online access by using the block and/or restrict features available on most video game consoles.
  • Ensure your adolescent only plays games with approved individuals (family and offline friends) by using such features as Nintendo's Friend Code or buddy list options offered in Xbox and PlayStation networks. Seek games that offer the ability to block or restrict individuals who can play with your adolescent and allow you to mute other individuals from chatting with your adolescent.
  • Know your adolescent’s passwords, screen names and the friends they are communicating with online.
  • Set limits on the amount of time your adolescent spends online.
  • Monitor your adolescent’s text and voice chats while they are playing.
  • Understand the rating system for games your adolescent enjoys playing. Questions to ask include:
  • Is it age-appropriate?
  • Does it offer the ability to block or restrict individuals who can play with your adolescent and allow you to mute other individuals from chatting with your adolescent?
  • Is there somewhere to report inappropriate activity?
  • Does the game provide more options for older players? Has your adolescent misrepresented their age to get more options?
  • Be involved and show interest in the games your adolescent enjoys playing. If possible, play the game with them.
  • Monitor your adolescent’s increased independence. Even though adolescents may appear as though they can handle certain situations, they actually require and unconsciously seek adult guidance and supervision.

Important discussions to have…

  • Reinforce to your adolescent the public nature of the Internet and let her/him know you will be supervising online activities.
  • Ensure your adolescent understands that s/he can talk to you about anything on the Internet that makes her/him feel uncomfortable without fear of losing Internet privileges.
  • Discuss with your adolescent the concept of dignity and self-respect and how it can be preserved or destroyed by messages sent online and offline.
  • Discuss with your adolescent the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships.
  • Stay emotionally connected to your adolescent, and pay close attention to any significant changes in her/his behaviour.
  • Explain to your adolescent that s/he should never meet in person with someone s/he first met online without a parent or guardian present.
  • Explain to your adolescent that it's illegal to threaten someone online or offline. Explain to your adolescent that s/he should never comply with threats. If someone threatens her/him online, s/he needs to tell a safe adult.
  • Make sure your adolescent knows to stop any conversation that makes her/him feel uncomfortable and tell a safe adult.
  • Discuss with your adolescent high-risk behaviour both online and offline and create 'what if' scenarios together to help your adolescent recognize dangerous situations and practice responses.
  • Encourage open communication and be aware of your adolescent's sensitivity to social judgment. S/he may be hesitant to share personal experiences.
  • Explain to your adolescent how experimenting in a public place like the Internet can have irreversible, embarrassing consequences.
  • Warn your adolescent about individuals s/he chats with online who start talking about sex, puberty, ask 'weird' questions or request sexually explicit pictures. Tell her/him to trust her/his instincts and block anyone who makes her/him feel uncomfortable.
  • Tell your adolescent not to share her/his password with anyone, and that her/his password should be a combination of numbers and letters (both upper- and lower-case). Explain that pop-up ads and malicious sites may appear legitimate, but that email and messenger providers will never ask for your adolescent's username and password.
  • Teach your adolescent that it is illegal for people to manufacture, possess or distribute naked or sexually explicit pictures of children under 18 years of age.
  • Suggest to your adolescent that s/he review Respect Yourself, a website designed to teach youth about the risks they face when sending pictures or videos by email, Instant Messaging (IM) or by posting them online. This website guides teens through the risks and provides them with safety strategies to help keep them safe.

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