From time to time, worried and somewhat dramatic headlines appear in the media: Are online games safe for children?
And indeed, every responsible parent will ask the same question.
The answer is yes and no, because the market of online games, as well as offline games for children, is huge and so diverse that it is impossible not to find something that would suit children of a certain age group.
Raising children is not easy and many parents, teachers, and educators are often in a dilemma as to how to allow children to play online games healthily.
Minors, especially children aged 3-6, are in an intensive process of psychophysical growth and development. Care is necessary when choosing any online content because small children could develop an addiction, as well as experience some kind of trauma.
However, this does not mean that kids should not consume online games in any way. Prohibitions are not good and often lead to the opposite effect.
As with most things in life, the secret is in the quality approach.
We bring you some tips on how to unobtrusively direct your kids to play games online in a way that will contribute to their psychophysical development.
When it comes to the internet, you can never be too careful. In addition to the many benefits of the Internet, it is also a very dangerous place. Data theft, various forms of manipulation, and blackmail that could seriously endanger someone's life are also real consequences of the irresponsible use of the Internet.
Children are especially vulnerable. Inexperience and natural curiosity can sometimes lead them to the wrong internet channels.
Internet scams are becoming more diverse and sometimes difficult to grasp. Young children, up to the age of 10, love colourful, cheerful characters, and there are many of them on games websites.
Darshan Somashekar, entrepreneur and owner of I’m A Puzzle, says security is the number one rule when it comes to everyday internet use, especially on gaming platforms. "Explain to children that they should never leave (or tell someone online) their real name, home address or any personal information, anywhere on the Internet, and especially not while playing games."
Before you allow them to play games, check the website and game yourself. Look for user feedback and experiences.
If you are not sure if a game is safe to play, you can always download it through proven services, Google Play, or the App Store. Also, don't forget to update regularly.
Children do not like to be supervised by someone, and teenage children are especially sensitive to that.
Try to set healthy boundaries without pressure. Explain to the children that if you do not allow them to play a certain online game - it is for their good and that there are so many more safe games they can enjoy.
There is no need to address them in a sublime, stern tone (unless it is not necessary). You can play together with small children and at the same time monitor their behavior and reaction to games; if something scares, surprises or they are even incredibly good at something.
For younger children, simple memory games, puzzles, or letter games, such as Scruble, are a great choice.
Show them by your example that it’s Ok to have fun and relax, but that we can’t do it all the time.
This is especially true for older children, who often choose games that involve violence or nudity. By no means should you support any form of online or offline brutality, but it is also important to know that it is an integral part of internet reality. It is impossible to escape from it completely. If you have no experience with games, research and, according to your child's preferences, refer him to those you think have characters who are good role models.
Choosing a game can be a great way to get closer to your child. You can talk about a complex game or characters; to play together and follow the narrative. Playing games can be a great "buffer" zone, where you can talk to children about more serious life themes. That way, playing games will not only be a waste of time but productive and creative.
Prevention is always better than treating the consequences. Therefore, if you have minor children, one of the ways to protect them is to install some of the parental control software, which allows you to monitor what your children are researching on the Internet.
Some of the parent control software allows you to block certain inappropriate web addresses. Do not tell kids that you have installed it. They don't have to know that.
If your child has installed a certain game on their phone - see the game settings, whether they offer the option to limit the playing time, as well as whether they have an age limit.
Virtual reality often deceives adults, especially children. Constant defeats or victories in games can lead to various frustrations and traumas in kids' minds. Among other things, this is why it is important to constantly monitor your child.
Talk to them and explain that a possible defeat does not mean that he is bad or incompetent.
If you notice that your child's behavior has changed significantly and that the trigger for this is a video game, it is best to take the child to talk to a psychologist.
Never forget that you as parents are responsible for the health of children as well as their safety. When it comes to kids safe fun is the best one.
You should never scare them with the Internet, much less with online games, but always implement all protection measures first.