YOUR CHILD IS NUMBER ONE!!
Children and young people love to play video games and with access to online gaming more obtainable the risks posed are potentially far wider and greater.
As a parent or carer you should find out about the dangers and help eradicate or minimise as many of them as possible to make sure that your child is a 'safe gamer' online.
BELOW ARE SOME SAFETY TIPS TO ENABLE YOUR CHILD TO BE A SAFE ONLINE GAMER:
Starting out – make sure your computer has an activated security feature such as a firewall, anti-spyware software or anti-virus software. You may also want o switch your pop up blocker on.
Tell your child to come to you if any messages or icons appear that make them feel uncomfortable or they are unsure where (or who) they came from.
Teach your child how to block or report cases of cyberbullying, tell them not to engage with the bully.
Check that your child’s username does give away any personal information - eg. name, location, age, date of birth or any other personal information.
Encourage them not send their personal details to fellow gamers.
Never let your child use a current picture of themselves - encourage them to use a animated avatar image.(anything but not their image)
Read and understand the ratings for the games that your children are playing or involved in. Various game sites have multiple games with a variety of different ratings, check the INs AND OUTs!.
Try and have your child’s computer/console in a room that is used frequently by yourself and other family members, this will help you monitor your child’s online movements.
If you feel necessary use the built-in parental controls on your computers web browser.
Make your children aware that they shouldn’t download any material without your permission. These files may contain malware virus and harm your computer.
Children use computers and games consoles everywhere, talk to your children about potential risks and safer online activity - this will help encourage them to take a sensible approach and talk to you if they are concerned or worried about anything.
Children and young people love to play video games and with access to online gaming more obtainable the risks posed are potentially far wider and greater.
As a parent or carer you should find out about the dangers and help eradicate or minimise as many of them as possible to make sure that your child is a 'safe gamer' online.
BELOW ARE SOME SAFETY TIPS TO ENABLE YOUR CHILD TO BE A SAFE ONLINE GAMER:
Starting out – make sure your computer has an activated security feature such as a firewall, anti-spyware software or anti-virus software. You may also want o switch your pop up blocker on.
Tell your child to come to you if any messages or icons appear that make them feel uncomfortable or they are unsure where (or who) they came from.
Teach your child how to block or report cases of cyberbullying, tell them not to engage with the bully.
Check that your child’s username does give away any personal information - eg. name, location, age, date of birth or any other personal information.
Encourage them not send their personal details to fellow gamers.
Never let your child use a current picture of themselves - encourage them to use a animated avatar image.(anything but not their image)
Read and understand the ratings for the games that your children are playing or involved in. Various game sites have multiple games with a variety of different ratings, check the INs AND OUTs!.
Try and have your child’s computer/console in a room that is used frequently by yourself and other family members, this will help you monitor your child’s online movements.
If you feel necessary use the built-in parental controls on your computers web browser.
Make your children aware that they shouldn’t download any material without your permission. These files may contain malware virus and harm your computer.
Children use computers and games consoles everywhere, talk to your children about potential risks and safer online activity - this will help encourage them to take a sensible approach and talk to you if they are concerned or worried about anything.