Cyberchat #5
Dear Friend,
Happy Summer from the team at SafetyNet®! While our children are enjoying time off from school, learning how to stay safe on social platforms is more important than ever. Like TikTok or Snapchat, many video games provide online interaction with friends and strangers alike. Together, we can navigate the different ways gamers of all levels can stay safe.
Jessica Bravo
SafetyNet® Bilingual Presenter
Videogames
According to a report from the American Academy of Pediatrics, more than 90% of children over two years of age play video games, and children aged 8 to 17 spend an average of 1.5 to 2 hours daily playing video games. This fun and interactive activity is not without its dangers. We will review some of the most popular video games among children and suggest how gameplay can be optimized for safety and security. While eliminating video games may not be the answer, considering what content is appropriate for your child and minimizing their access to strangers is a good start.
Roblox
Roblox has over 70 million daily active users worldwide. While it is marketed to a younger age group, Roblox is popular among all ages. Players can build and publish their own games, which may contain adult or inappropriate themes. Using the communication features, Roblox players can talk to each other while they are playing, which poses a risk of cyberbullying or unwanted contact. It’s important to note that depending on the age restriction set on the account, young kids could be interacting with adults. Roblox offers a range of parental controls and safety settings that can help keep your child safe on the platform. Check out their Online Safety Hub.
Fortnite
Fortnite is a “battle royale” game which is centered around shooting and building. It is free to play but incorporates microtransactions. For example, players can purchase cosmetics for their character in the game. These purchases are made with “V-Bucks,” Fortnite’s in-game currency, which is linked to an online payment method. Gamers may be targeted by online scams promising free V-Bucks in exchange for information. There are also “free” V-Buck generators which can compromise personal information. Fortnite has become so popular and widespread that you can play it on almost every common platform. The game is rated “T” for violence and crude humor, which means the game is generally suitable for children ages 13 and up. Scenes involve aggressive conflict and bloodless dismemberment. Fortnite incorporates voice and text chat. Bullying, cheating, inappropriate content, and intolerance are all against Fortnite’s community rules, but it’s possible to run into someone engaging in this behavior before they are banned.
Minecraft
Minecraft is a “sandbox game,” which means you build your own world. Minecraft has a recommended Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) rating of 7 and an Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESBR) rating of Everyone 10+. You can play offline in a closed server, or online with others. For maximum safety and security, we recommend playing offline. Because combat is part of the game, there are some elements of mild violence. The graphical violence is limited by Minecraft’s visual style. When it comes to unwanted player violence like “griefing,” players are encouraged to report it. Griefing is intentionally destroying the things people build in Minecraft and is considered bullying behavior.
Discord
Discord is a free communication platform designed for creating communities and connecting with others who share your interests. It combines text, voice, and video chat in one app. While popular among gamers, it’s also used as a tool for educators to create virtual classrooms. Some educators may require their students to join their Discord server, which is a topic-based channel where you can collaborate with others. These servers can be public or private. Strangers can share inappropriate content on Discord, including content related to drugs, alcohol, pornography, and racism. Content moderation is left to individual servers, and children can easily remove any restrictions that are put in place.
Safety Tips
- If your child is a gamer, so are you!
- Ask questions about the game.
- Play the game with your child.
- Does your child like to watch YouTubers play video games? Use those videos to determine if gameplay is appropriate for your child.
- Warn your child of any red flag questions that seek personal information if chatting with other gamers:
- How old are you?
- What time is it where you are?
- What school do you go to?
- Do you have brothers or sisters?
- What time do your parents come home?
- Note: While social media requires you to be at least 13 years of age to create an account, video games do not have an age requirement. Vigilance is key.
Resources
- Roblox Online Safety Hub
- What is Fortnite?
- Fortnite Parental Controls
- What is Minecraft?
- Parental Controls in Minecraft
- Understanding Minecraft Social Features
- Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) Rating System
- Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESBR) Rating System
- Discord Parent Hub
- Discord Safety Tips
Empower Your Kids with Healthy Screen
Time Habits with OurPact’s Allowance
We are increasingly aware of the harmful effects of excessive screen time on mental and physical health, especially for children. Overuse of screens can lead to poor sleep, inattentiveness, depression, eye strain, and posture issues. It’s crucial to establish healthy screen time habits early, especially when there are so many games that aren’t all dangerous but can be both entertaining and educational for kids today. With OurPact’s Allowance feature you can easily set screen time limits. This customizable tool lets you define daily limits, teaching kids to manage their screen time responsibly.
On the kids’ side, they use the OurPact Jr. app to play or pause their Allowance timer, helping them learn how to budget their time effectively. Plus, you can monitor usage and grant extra time if needed with just a tap of a button in your dashboard.
With OurPact, you can encourage thoughtful device use and help your children develop balanced screen habits. Learn more here.
SafetyNet: Smart Cyber Choices® is a collaborative program of the San Diego Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (SD-ICAC) and the San Diego Police Foundation. It is designed to help kids, parents, educators, and concerned adults learn how to keep kids safe online.