Is Your Child Gaming Safely or Just Gaming a Lot?
Online gaming offers entertainment and learning, but without clear boundaries, it can quickly tip into unhealthy territory. The Game Safe guide helps parents make sense of today’s gaming world and support their children in having safer, more balanced play.
While gaming can foster creativity and skills, long hours, fatigue, and social isolation are signs of overuse. Keeping gaming in shared spaces and encouraging regular breaks helps create healthier routines. Game ratings offer some direction, but many games—even those meant for younger kids—include online interactions with strangers, which can carry risks.
Watching content is another layer to watch. Gaming livestreams or videos may include language or behavior that’s not age-appropriate. Helping your child understand how to stay safe and respectful online ensures gaming stays fun—and free of harmful surprises.
✅ 2–3 Things Parents Can Do Right Now
- Sit down and play: Join your child for a short game session and observe the content, chat features, and emotional tone. You can even take the initiative to learn your child’s favorite game lingo with k-ID Gamespeak.
- Review settings together: Check parental controls, privacy settings, and user profiles to ensure they’re appropriate for your child’s age.
- Set a “no gaming” time: Pick a time daily (like dinner or 30 mins before bed) that’s screen-free to promote balance and downtime.
About Internet Matters
Internet Matters is a UK-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping parents and carers keep their children safe online. They provide expert advice, resources, and tools to empower families to navigate the digital world confidently.
Visit the Safety Centre for platform-specific guides and safety tips. 📢 Feel free to share your thoughts in our quick survey. 🔔 Subscribe to our newsletter and stay tuned for our next article!