Online gaming has become a big part of our daily lives. The youngsters especially play them a lot. It offers a fun way to relax with friends and explore the virtual world. However online gaming also has drawbacks. Did you know that online gaming is one of the most common ways through which children get bullied? So, it’s important for parents to take notice of it.
Parents can keep their children safe by learning the pro tips of how to use parental control.
To make it easier, I have created a parents guide to online gaming. This list includes tips for parents, understanding the risks of online gaming, and making sure that the child is safe.
Let’s start!
Understanding Online Gaming
Online gaming refers to playing different games over the Internet. It allows people to join other players from around the world and play together. It is now becoming a new normal in the entertainment industry and most companies are trying to introduce this feature into their titles.
Being able to play online with other people creates a sense of thrill and engagement in people. They try you surpass the opponents and, in doing so, spend a considerable amount of time on playing.
Although online gaming has opened door to several opportunities such as eSports tournaments, it has also brought some disadvantages like spending a lot of time on gaming.
What are the Risks of Online Gaming?
Gaming is a fun activity but it also has some negative aspects. Here is parents guide to online gaming risks to avoid.
Talking to strangers:
Almost every online game has a chat box to talk with your online friends. Players can even talk here with any person that they don’t know from all across the world. Strangers might not be nice every time. Children need to avoid sharing personal information like their name, school, or addresses.
Spending too much time online:
Another risk is spending too much time while playing online games. These kinds of games are very exciting and no doubt we all love them in different ways. But spending extra time on screen can be dangerous for your health, and kids might forget their daily tasks. Those tasks may include, doing homework, playing outdoor activities, or any house chores.
Wasting money:
One major factor is that kids see anything online that might admire them, and they could buy it without knowing the worth of real money. For example, in gaming, spending money is a waste while buying outfits, new tools, new weapons, or unlocking new levels. Doing that stuff can add extra bills for parents.
Online Gaming in a Controlled Manner
I have mentioned earlier how online gaming is also beneficial for children. So, keeping them away from this activity as a whole won’t do them any good. It is important that parents allow them to play in a controlled manner.
Follow this parents guide to online gaming tips to adopt these habits while online gaming.
Set time limits:
First and foremost, it is important to set time limits for playing games in a day. This thing will make sure they still have time for school, family, and other fun activities. So, setting boundaries for your kids is a time-saving thing for all parents.
Allow Playing Age Appropriate Games:
These days, parents should be active for their children when it comes to picking games to play. They should focus on each activity that a kid does in his daily life. Because many online games are not suitable for small kids.
Playing those games can spoil your kid. So, it is a fact that parents should choose an age-appropriate game for their children.
Choosing a game after seeing the ratings and reviews will also help. Almost every game developer mentions about the game that it is available for “all ages players” or for “kid-players”. So, it is also a way to choose a good game for your kid.
Parental controls:
Using parental controls on games and devices is another way to protect your child. These settings can block harmful content and stop strangers from chatting with them. It is a major part of what guardians do for their kids. Since different online gaming technologies are out here, you should choose the right gaming device for your kids.
Teach them basic things:
Basic knowledge should be mandatory for everyone. It’s also very important to teach kids about it. Tell them not to share personal information regarding them with any of the players present online. This is a pro-safety tip to give protection to your children.
Play games together:
Another way to help is to play games together. When you join your child in gaming, you can observe what they like or dislike. By doing this you can spend time together and keep an eye on their gaming habits and choose right games for kids. In my opinion, this is the best parent guide to online gaming.
Talk to your child:
Finally, always talk to your child about their favorite games and the people they play with. Asking questions shows care and helps you stay informed about their online activities. These simple steps can make online gaming fun and safe for your child.
Is Over Gaming Really a Thing?
I’ve seen many people concerned about over gaming and it really is a thing. It occurs when too much gaming starts to show its negative results.
There are some ways you can figure out whether or not your child is spending unnecessary time on games. I’ve listed them below.
- If your child gets upset when he or she can’t play games, it could be a sign of using the screen more than necessary.
- Irregular use of games overwhelms the responsibilities such as skipping homework, college assignments, or any house chores.
- Showing a little interest in fun activities, and hobbies, spending time with friends and family could be a sign of online gaming.
- Staying up late or waking up early to the game might lead to fatigue. Changes in sleeping patterns are also signs of involvement in games.
- Gaming for a long period might cause your child to skip daily meals, or ignore daily self-care routine.
Conclusion
Well, this is a parents guide to online gaming. However, the online games are not scary for everyone. While it provides opportunities for entertainment, skill-building, and social interaction, it also comes with some risks. Such as overuse of any inappropriate content and reducing physical activities. Just with a little guidance, your child can enjoy their games safely.
So, all you need to remember is the key to staying involved, setting rules, and keeping an open conversation with them. Monitoring child behavior and setting appropriate boundaries will ensure that gaming is a healthy and enjoyable part of your child’s life.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can online gaming affect a child’s learning abilities?
Yes. Online gaming can have a direct impact on a student’s learning abilities. They can both impact positively and negatively. It is important to strike a balance in gaming in order to enjoy the positive impacts and avoid the negative ones.
Is there an automatic way of monitoring a child’s gaming activities?
Yes. There are many online tools and software solutions available online that can help with monitoring your child’d gaming activities automatically.
What is the best way to let a child enjoy gaming while avoiding its negative impacts?
The best way to do that is offering only a limited time for gaming. Also, monitoring activities and game types they play is also helpful.