During isolation, gaming can help connect kids with friends, learn new skills, stay physically active and escape briefly from the stress, fear and sadness of COVID-19.
There are risks, but parents can take steps to strengthen their children's safety and wellbeing.
1. Understand their games
- Spend time gaming with your children, and learn why they enjoy them and how they work.
- Research their games - eg using the eSafety Guide - including their classifications, reviews, warnings and potential for in-game spending. Find out if the games are monitored and how to block and report bad behaviour.
2. Talk with them
- Assure your kids that you want to know if they had a bad experience online, and that you won't confiscate their devices.
- Rehearse with them how to block and report bad experiences to the site or the eSafety Commissioner.
3. Review your security
- Ensure childrens' accounts are set to the highest privacy level and teach the importance of keeping passwords and personal details private.
- Review parental controls, such as content filters and alerts if a purchase is made.
Go to dollysdream.org.au to learn about online safety, social networking, privacy, gaming and much more.
