• The 411 for online activities
• Relationships and the Internet
• Child Development
• Tools for Teachers
• • Internet Safety Tools for Teachers
  • Internet benefits
  • Online Games and Video Game Consoles
  • Kids Being Exposed to Sexually Explicit Material
  • Personal Boundaries and Internet Safety
  • How do I Know if a Child is Stressed?
  • Cell phone safety
  • Safe Adults and Internet Safety

Online Games

The Internet has changed the nature of games, and the interactive components of online gaming make them appealing to children of all ages. While it is easy for parents to believe that their child is safe while playing a game, precautions need to be taken as most online games have a chat component where children can interact with others.

What can you do?

• If children are playing online games at school, know what games they are playing online. Is the game moderated?
• Explore the game to determine if it is age appropriate for children. Does it contain sexually explicit material? Is the game graphically violent?
• Review the game guidelines. Can you report inappropriate activity?
• What username or character name has the child given him/herself? Does it provide identifying characteristics about him/her or his/her hobbies (shygirl; bookworm, etc.)?
• Check to see if the child must create an online profile to join the site. If s/he does, what has the child included in it (real name, city, e-mail address, age)?
• Does the game provide more options for older players? Has the child misrepresented his/her age to get more options?
• Is there an interactive chat component in the game? Is this an optional feature that can be turned off?
• Does the game have a message board where players can post comments? Is this an optional function?
• Can players e-mail each other back and forth?
• Can players send each other attachments, such as pictures?
• Does the game have a friend or buddy list? Who is on children’s buddy lists?
• Is there a way for children to contact other players? Do the players first need to get children’s permission or can they simply begin chatting?

What should you talk to children about?

• Set the expectation that you will monitor him/her online as it is a public environment.
• Teach children to check with you before sharing personal information online.
• Reinforce the idea that not everyone is who they say they are online. People can pretend to be older or younger than they actually are.
• Just as you would explain codes of conduct for offline games, the same should be done for games online.
• Only chat with players and include people on a buddy or friend list that he/she knows offline.
• Keep personal information, including photos, off gaming profiles.
• If someone s/he doesn’t know sends him/her an attachment, TELL THEM NOT TO OPEN IT.
• If children come across something or someone in the game that makes him/her feel uncomfortable, explain that s/he can tell you without fear of losing gaming privileges.