Playing Games Online Safely

Posted by Joyce on February 4, 2009 under Child Internet Safety, Children's Internet Safety, Internet Safety, Internet Safety For Kids, Internet Safety Rules, Internet Safety for Teens, Internet Scams, Internet Software Filters, Kids Internet Safety, Online Games, Phishing Scams | Read the First Comment

Playing Games Online Safely

Click the Icon Above to listen to the Podcast
Right Click Here to download the link for your iPod

Did you get your kids those new electronic games, cell phones and computers for Christmas?

Did you teach them how to be safe online when using them, too?

Bad Santa!

Many of these electronic items allow Internet access or have the ability to send and receive messages, pictures and videos.

As a parent, you should realize that many of these allow your child to play with people from all over the world. They can also communicate with them.

So, it’s time to have a chat with your child about using any or all of these items. Here’s my 3 Post-Christmas Internet Safety Gaming Quick Tips:

1. Make sure your game player knows to not give out personal information to fellow game players. This
is information such as their names, ages, address, school or phone numbers.

2. Check the game system instructions for information about privacy controls and parental restrictions that can protect children.

3. Encourage children to report inappropriate contact with strangers, especially sexually suggestive comments, attempts and such.

For Your Tween
Just because these items connect to the Internet does not mean you actually have to do it. Assess what comfort level you have with your child alone online. Assess their ability to understand the most basic online safety skills. If either of these have the slightest uncomfortable feeling to it, do not connect them to the Internet. Neither you nor your child are ready to take on the world of online strangers at this time.

For Your Teen
Teach them to be part of the solution. Teens understand the Internet and its connections to others, especially people they don’t know. Make sure your teen readily accepts the responsibility to online safety practices in exchange for the privilege of being online, no matter if they TEXT, FLIX or PIX. Empowering them with trust and respect for themselves and others will go a long way.

Until next week!
-Joyce
…keeping kids safe online