"Is it safe for kids to chat in Online Games?"
Maybe your child has been spending a lot of time playing the online game Roblox. They've been having fun playing with other players, but you've noticed that they've started to make friends with some of the other players. You're a little worried about this because you know that not everyone on the internet is who they say they are. Alex tells you that they've made friends with a player named "Katie" and that they've been talking to her every day. They're excited about having a new friend but you're concerned about their safety.
As parents, it's essential to teach our children about online safety from a young age. One of the most important lessons to impart is the danger of talking to strangers online.
Online games like Roblox, Minecraft and social media platforms are popular among children. While these platforms can be great for socializing and entertainment, they also allow children to interact with strangers. Other users may be children, or they may be adults. It is often hard to tell. Voice changers, fake accounts and technology to change appearance can give the illusion of being younger. I strongly recommend parents wait until their child reaches the appropriate age for apps and games that require a 13+ rating.
Sadly, online predators use popular social media apps and games to groom younger vulnerable children as it is so easy. They will try to gain the child's trust and ensure they can interact with the child privately somewhere on the platform or use another platform like Snapchat or Discord.
Once they have gained the child's trust, they will usually try to engage the child sexually and blackmail or bribe the child into providing child abuse material.
Conversations with your child about what to do if they are contacted by someone they don't know offline are vital. Role-playing how they might avoid talking to unknown players via blocking or muting helps avoid confrontation. Confiding in a trusted adult should be encouraged about their online interactions. If parents have an "Open Door" policy around discussions about the online world, it helps a child to feel safe to disclose anything they experience online.
It is also crucial for parents to talk about sharing personal information and never meeting up with someone they have met online. Reminding children that not everyone online is who they claim to be is important.
Here are a few tips for parents to help keep their children safe from strangers online:
Monitor your child's online activity. Regularly check their social media accounts and online games to see who they're talking to and what they're sharing.
Educate your child about the dangers of talking to strangers online. Explain the risks of sharing personal information and the importance of being cautious when interacting with people they don't know.
Set strict privacy settings on your child's social media and online game accounts. Only allow them to connect with people they know and trust offline.
Use parental controls to block inappropriate content and monitor your child's online activity.
Promote open communication with your child. Tell them they can come to you if they feel uncomfortable or unsafe online.
Give them ideas for getting out of uncomfortable conversations online
Talk with children about their experiences online with chat, workshop ideas on how to identify an unsafe player
By following these tips, parents can help keep their children safer from strangers online and give them the tools they need to navigate the digital world safely.