As our generation is becoming more immersed in the digital world, older generations must adjust and attempt to bridge the digital gap. You can’t get away from it as a parent. You must participate to guarantee that your children receive a good education in this information era.
Gaming is one of the most important stakeholders in this digital age, and its popularity shows no signs of waning. All age groups are heavily reliant on consoles and PCs. In the pre-internet ages, the gaming fever looked to be normal. Well, it has now injected a touch of excitement into the gaming industry. Gamers can now compete and play online.
The gaming industry has finally realized that in order to preserve this multibillion-dollar enterprise; they needed to gain the trust of parents. They can’t only produce games for adults and ignore the under-16 market.
There are a few factors to consider as a parent while your child is gaming online. This blog is written for parents who have children who are always plugged into consoles or laptops.
Here’s what you’ll need to know:
Make sure your service provider offers internet security
Many folks undervalue the importance of internet security. Hackers and cybercriminals are seeking methods to take advantage of your network. The more secure your network is, the less likely it is that a hacker will get access to it.
Hackers can access your network and can get into your personal devices as well while your kids are playing online games. As while playing games online, the kids get so involved in the game, that it’s easier for the hackers to get access, which makes them the most susceptible category. Therefore, get services through a service provider that offers you not just high-speed internet but also a secure network. For instance, there are some providers like Cox, who understand the importance of internet security so they offer internet security to their customers. All Cox Internet plans include a complimentary security suite to protect you from viruses, hackers, and cybercriminals.
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Discuss what games are being played
This might be challenging. You will most likely be unable to comprehend what your children are saying. Keep your cool and pay attention. Online games come in a wide variety of formats. You can download the games now to your phone or played on an Xbox or PlayStation or any smart device, which has an internet connection. Here are a few examples of online games for a basic understanding:
- Web Games: No download is required for these games. These games can be played by just opening the browser. There are multiple websites, where you can play web games. Games offered on social media sites like Facebook are likewise classified as web games.
- Console Games: Almost every other child wishes for an Xbox or PlayStation for their birthday or Christmas. Consoles are used to play these games. If you have an internet connection, you can play multiplayer games online with random people or with your friends.
- Mobile games: You can download these games from the Play Store or Apple store. Many games are free to play but some require additional charges for special rewards.
Check the age ratings
These ratings evaluate if a game is appropriate for a specific age range or not. Different games are frequently purchased based on age classification. This is a specially designed system to judge games based on age appropriateness, the kind of content, and many online features, which are of interest to the parents. Therefore, once you know what games are being played, it is time to do some research.
You can google the rating summaries online to find an insight into the kind of content in the game so that you know before making a purchase. This helps in understanding whether the game is appropriate for your children or not. Moreover, engaging with the storyline will give you an understanding of the storyline and purpose. You can find any disturbing or upsetting scenes beforehand.
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Adjust the parental control
Every console, smartphone, handheld gaming device, and tablet has parental controls. Parents can activate these controls and manage the time their kids can spend playing the games. Moreover, many games require users to purchase some additional features.
These parental controls give you the authority to decide how much money kids can spend buying these additional features or games. You can get more information about parental controls by reading the manual that comes with the device.
Get to know your privacy options
Make sure that the account is secured and requires a two-step verification method. This method requires you to enter additional information other than the password. Therefore, get familiar with the privacy settings for each device. Moreover, you must go through the privacy policy of each game and check how the information is shared.
I know this sounds like a lot to do but steps like these can simply make your child more secure online. These privacy settings can help you filter the content and remove all the potentially inappropriate content. As a result, you do not have to worry about anything even when you are away from home.
Set breaks
You must have complete control over how much time your kid spends playing these internet games since he/she is your responsibility. Gaming addiction is real, and it might become a significant issue for you and your children in the future. These games are incredibly addicting and can reduce your children’s productivity. Therefore, you should set aside time to play.
Teach your children about bullying
Bullying continues to exist in our modern world. Unfortunately, internet games are breeding grounds for bullying, and many kids are becoming a victim of it. Therefore, you should have a discussion with your child about bullying at school or online. Make your kids understand how to react in these instances. Tell them it’s okay to speak out if they’re being bullied and walk them through the steps to reporting it.
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Summing it up
Whether we like it or not, gaming will have a significant impact on both children and adults. You can’t just tell your kids to quit playing games. Therefore, following these easy guidelines can help them enjoy a safe and secure gaming experience.
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