Many advantages come with playing online games, such as reducing stress, increasing vision, reducing depression, etc. On the other hand, online gaming has its downsides, such as poor grades, obesity, violent behaviour, and others.
Due to these conflicting findings, it has become essential for parents to know the games their children are playing, the various safety features and settings of the devices they are using, and find the best possible ways to apply common sense to the online gaming opportunities available to the whole family.
What Does The Term Video Game Mean?
Video game is a term used to refer to everything you can think of from playing a simple game such as Solitaire to massively multiplier online games. A great online casino or gaming site will have a wide range of video games you can play. But unlike gaming sites, online casinos only allow players who are 18 years and above.
Video games can be played on PCs, mobile devices, game consoles, and handheld devices. To play some games, you have to purchase and install them on your device, whereas others can be downloaded from the web, and others played directly on a web browser.
Video games can be played by people of all ages, with older women taking the lead in single-player games, while young men have the most users of warm games. Massively multiplayer are popular among people aged between 8 to 80 years. Some games are violent, and others are educational. However, most games have been designed to be played by family or friends, and most of these games offer an excellent way for a family to spend time together.
Games Have Parental Guidance Rating
All computer and video games are rated by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) to help parents choose games that are right for their children.
Game ratings have two sections. The first part is one that indicates the age of the players, while the second part is a descriptor, which helps parents to know the elements that determined the score.
These two aspects are very important in helping you to use the ESRB rating system. So, make sure you check both the rating symbol and descriptors.
Safety Features and Capabilities of Gaming Devices
Modern game consoles have family safety features, also known as parental controls that allow parents to control what their children can view. There are instructions on the console’s website that can help you to do activate the parental control on the device.
Computers have built-in parental control tools, or you could install these tools yourself to set the limits you want. Also, handheld devices come with control settings, and one of the most important settings you need to pay attention to is the ability of the device to connect to Bluetooth as this allows others players to interact with your children on the device.
If it is an online game, and players can interact with each other, note that safety features do not track the conversations. Although most conversations are required to be appropriate, some people don’t appropriately conduct themselves.
In this case, you need to talk to your child and tell them about the possibility of experiencing online bullying, and people who cheat or get too friendly. There are many sites specially dedicated to kids when they can play a wide range of games.
Quick Tips for Healthy Online Gaming
Here are a few tips you need to keep in mind:
- Consider the age of your children
It is important to check the ratings of the games to see if they are the right option for your children. Also, keep in mind that kids will always want to play games that are being played by older children. So, you should probably not allow the kids to watch the older kids playing if the game they are playing is not appropriate.
- Choose the appropriate gaming device for your child
Some of the things you need to know are if the safety settings are in place. For example, do they help you to set the right boundaries when it comes to the type of games the kids can play, who they can play with, and the time of the day they can play. If these settings are not configured, go back and do this before you hand over the device to your child.
- Educate your child about safe gaming
This conversation is very important as it sets the background for understanding responsible gaming. You need to talk about the games that are right to play as well as those that should not be played. Tell your child that you will be monitoring their gaming periodically, especially when it includes interacting with other people from outside. You want to ensure that the conversations are open and respectful. Also, let them know that you are willing to help them in case they encounter any issues such as cyberbullying or any inappropriate behaviour they encounter.