Online gaming has become increasingly popular in recent years, with more and more people of all ages playing video games on their computers, consoles, and mobile devices. While online gaming can be a fun and engaging activity, it also carries certain risks that parents should be aware of. In this article, we'll discuss the seven main dangers of online gaming and how to protect your child from them. One of the most common risks associated with online gaming is cyberbullying. Cyberbullying can take many forms, from verbal abuse to threats of physical harm.
It's important for parents to be aware of the potential for cyberbullying and to talk to their children about it. Parents should also be aware of the personal information that their children are sharing about their consoles, computers, and devices. Another risk associated with online gaming is the hypersexualized content that is often found in video games. Pornography is often integrated into these games, allowing children to participate in virtual or simulated sexual acts to accumulate more points. The images of men and women depicted in these games are also often overtly sexual, and many games glorify violence and sexual exploitation.
Some games even exist for the sole purpose of simulating sex. Virtual sex games are often free and easily accessible to children, allowing them to create an online identity to explore sexuality anywhere and in any way, including group sex, bestiality, and other fetishes. Children are often instantly attracted to the realistic images offered by fast-paced online action games, which can lead to addiction. Given that predators hunt where children play, it's no surprise that online gaming is the new frontier for sexual predators. Predators use online games to connect with children and groom them for attack. Online games allow predators to create shared online experiences and be an advocate for a child or an online teammate.
Predators can easily access a large amount of information about a child by consulting their game history. It's important for parents to familiarize themselves with the parental control features found on the game console, which restrict who has access to a child's game profile and allows them to decide what games their children can play, who they play and talk to, and when they play online. This will help protect your child from potential predators. Another risk associated with online gaming is the potential for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Studies have suggested that situations in which a person spends hours sitting in one place may increase the risk of DVT. It's important for parents to ensure that their children take regular breaks from gaming and get up and move around. Finally, unsupervised children can buy games online without your approval if you leave your credit card information saved, which can result in an unpleasant surprise at the end of the month.
It's important for parents to monitor their children's spending on online games. Online gaming can be a fun and engaging activity for both adults and children alike. However, it's important for parents to be aware of the risks associated with online gaming so they can protect their children from potential harm. By familiarizing themselves with parental control features on game consoles, monitoring their children's spending on online games, and talking to their children about cyberbullying, parents can help ensure that their children have a safe and enjoyable experience while playing online.
