The key to smart online gaming?
Start a conversation with your child!
With parents spending a total of only 46 minutes during their chilhood talking to their children about online security, it is increasingly important for parents and caregivers to help children stay safe and have a good time, especially when playing online.
Chat regularly about their gaming experiences
Be curious to explore your children’s gaming interests. Take the time to understand the type of games they enjoy and which titles they love and regularly engage in easygoing conversations about their experiences. An open approach is a straightforward yet effective way to support them in becoming smart online gamers.
Consider connecting with fellow parents and caregivers to share insights and exchange ideas. That way, we can build a collaborative community focused on promoting children’s well-being in the digital world!
Empower children’s digital skill set
One way to empower children to safely navigate the online world is by equipping them with a set of essential skills.
Digital security
Prioritizing their digital security is crucial for smart online gaming. As parents, it’s vital to guide our children in understanding and protecting their sensitive information. Emphasize the importance of using strong, unique passwords to ensure their online privacy. Assist them in managing their credentials by either using a secure digital password manager (a protected virtual vault) or a physical diary or password book.
Critical thinking
Critical thinking is the foundation of having a positive and safe experience. However, even adults often find this challenging. But despite the complexity, it’s important to empower our children to independently evaluate online content, rather than simply dictating to them what’s wrong and right. By supporting them in independently assessing the content and the contacts they encounter online, we actively contribute to the development of their critical thinking skills.
One way to discuss the topic according to the LEGO Group Digital Child Safety Expert:
“Lock your online accounts, just like you lock your house or chain your bike. Stop people from taking your stuff by choosing a strong password that keeps your social media, gaming and school stuff safe!”
One way to discuss the topic according to the LEGO Group Digital Child Safety Expert:
“Imagine yourself as a detective. Think carefully and ask questions before believing what you read, watch and hear online. Always check the facts before sharing. Be a detective to protect yourself – and help others too.”
Focus on the fun
There’s a good reason why children love it: online gaming can be awesome!
Emphasizing the enjoyable aspects of gaming when starting a conversation is another good strategy, along with joining them in their gaming activities. You can ask them about their recent achievements in the game, if they have encountered a challenge, or if they have upgraded their playable character.
The more you know about the games they love, the easier it’s going to be to connect with them, support their fun and spot any risks they may be exposed to.
Common-sense rules
Before crossing the road, you look in both directions to see whether a car is coming. That’s common sense, and it’s something that children learn from an early age. Similarly, there are behaviors in the digital world that can be established as ‘common-sense rules’ and parents can make agreements with their children about them. Below, you’ll find a few suggestions by the LEGO Group Digital Child Safety Expert to introduce these topics during conversation.
Keep your private information safe
“Imagine you’re holding the key to your house. Would you hand them to a stranger? Not if you want to keep your belongings safe. Treat your private information, such as your full name and address, like the keys to your house.”
Be like a detective when playing online
“Keep in mind that if a message, email, website or download doesn’t look and feel right, it’s wise to ask an adult you trust to check if it’s safe. Do the same if you’re asked for private information by a stranger or even someone you know.”
Block, report and talk to an adult
“If people upset you or others online, they might be cyberbullying. We sometimes call them trolls. Ignore, block or report them, and talk to an adult you trust for further advice.”
More tips on how to become digitally smart
Knowing how to avoid risks online is a skill that will require time and practice. Empowering children with ‘common-sense rules’ and engaging in regular conversations about online safety, particularly during activities like gaming, can effectively help them build the skills needed for a safe and enjoyable time online.
If you want to learn more about these topics, have a look at a few of our easy-to-follow tips by clicking on the button below.
Level up your safety skills with Smart Dash
We’ve created a game to help your children level up their online know-how and make the internet a safer place. It even has a two-player mode, so why not tag along and learn together? Simply race down the track and solve the challenges on safe gaming, collecting positive emojis along the way as you dash to become an online safety hero. Woohoo!
Join Zero’s Quest to uncover empathy and positive social skills online
Zero’s Quest is a narrative puzzle adventure game, designed to teach 10 to 12-year-olds the importance of empathy, and how to ‘play well’ online.
On this digital journey, players explore three exciting worlds made from LEGO® bricks: Forest Age, Pitch Pros and Starscreen. Within these landscapes, players need to chat with characters to understand their feelings and problems. Through solving the LEGO themed puzzles, children can improve their online social skills in a way that’s fun and inclusive.