How to make video games more appropriate for your kids
With kids spending more time indoors in isolation, many are turning to video games to stave off boredom. This is how parents can make sure their kids are protected from the darker side of gaming.
VIC News
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Parents should protect their video-gaming kids online by disabling voice chats, installing passwords for in-game spending and dialling down the gore.
With many kids in isolation spending more time than usual playing games such as FIFA, Fortnite and Final Fantasy, experts advise parents to be vigilant.
The Lockdown Video Game Study by UK company Uswitch suggests parents get to know the games their kids are playing so they can “disabled the blood element in settings for certain video games”.
Other tips include turning off public online chat settings which “may expose your teen to profanity and adult topics,” the report says.
Another suggestion is for parents not to give children their bank details because they may not be able to spot online scammers.
The report also advises parents to talk to children about the dangers of making friends online and using parental controls to ensure children are not playing games above their classification.
The raisingchildren.net.au website also suggests parents can play video games with children to build relationships and help keep kids safe.
Associate Professor Julie Green, executive director of the federal government site, said sharing screen time shows children their parents “care about things that matter to them – and this sends them an extremely powerful message”.
The Uswitch report offers the same suggestion: “By joining the game you can see who your child is playing with, talking to, and most importantly what graphic content they are exposed to,” it says.
Figures from eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant shows 81 per cent of children aged 8 to 17 play online games, two thirds play multiplayer games on line with others and 52 per cent play games with people they do not know.
Higher use of the internet during the COVID-19 crisis has been accompanied by a 40 per cent spike in reports to the eSafety Commissioner.
Commissioner Grant suggests parents should know the apps, games and social media sites that their kids are using, make sure they are age appropriate and learn how to limit the messaging and online chat and location sharing functions.
Guide to video games
1. Fortnite (12+ Third-person shooter game)
Safety Tip: Use the parental controls to set restrictions such as disabling voice chat, filtering mature language, and hiding you child’s real name. These can be pin protected to avoid any changes without your knowledge.
2. Apex Legends (14+ First-person shooter game)
Safety Tip: The safest way to play is to for children to only be on a squad with people they know and to mute voice and text chat. Use parental controls within the game to set this up and protect with a pin.
3. The Sims (12+ Simulation game)
Safety Tip: Rather than add your payment card details to the game, instead purchase a gift voucher for a set amount then your child will know how much they are allowed to spend on in-game content.
4. FIFA 20 (13+ Simulation football game)
Safety Tip: Ensure you have already set up passwords and limits on any payment cards on the system. Opt yourself into email notifications so you can keep tabs on any spending.
5. Final Fantasy VII (13+ Role-playing game)
Safety Tip: Have a conversation with your older children to explain that this game features drinking, drugs and swearing among other adult themes.
Source: Uswitch
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