This post is sponsored by Aura.
Online gaming is a favorite pastime for many kids, and it’s one of the trickiest things I’ve had to manage as a parent. I want my kids to enjoy their games, but letting them play online can feel risky and stressful. Gaming can be fun and even educational, but parents need to keep children safe while they explore the online world.
Common risks in online gaming:
– Identity theft: Kids often don’t realize that sharing personal details while gaming or on social media can lead to privacy problems or stolen identities.
– Online predators: Children can be trusting. It’s hard for them to know if the person on the other side of the screen is who they say they are or has good intentions.
– Cyberbullying: Harassment through voice or text chats and social media is still a real problem. Stay aware of your child’s online interactions.
– Malware: Downloads, links in chats, and video content can infect devices and give hackers access to private information.
– Adult content: Games can include violence, sexual content, or mature themes that aren’t appropriate for kids, so check what they’re playing.
It may feel overwhelming when kids begin gaming online, but there are many tools and steps you can take to keep them safer. Here are our trusted tips for protecting children while gaming.
Eleven essential tips to help parents keep kids safe while gaming online:
1. Open communication
Talk honestly with your children about online risks and encourage them to tell you if something makes them uncomfortable. Open lines of communication are the best foundation for online safety.
2. Use parental controls and digital safety tools: Aura
Aura is a great all-in-one digital safety tool for families. It helps protect against identity theft, fraud, and online threats so you can feel more at ease. We use Aura for peace of mind with gaming and social media. It monitors the websites and apps our kids use and helps ensure their online time is safe.
Aura blocks harmful content, tracks screen time, offers 24/7 in-game voice and text monitoring for over 200 popular PC games, and lets you customize what games, apps, and content your child can access. It alerts us to cyberbullying, predator attempts, privacy risks, and more, and gives actionable steps to prevent future problems. I also like the usage reports that show gaming time and any threats detected.
Setting it up is simple: download the Aura Desktop App to your child’s computer, choose “Safe Gaming,” and install. You’ll get email alerts for cyberbullying or predator concerns. Beyond game safety, Aura also protects against identity theft, fraud, credit issues, and stores passwords. Try Aura with a 14-day free trial and get a special discount at aura.com/amber.
3. Choose age-appropriate games
Check ratings and game content before your child plays. Pick games that match their maturity level, and sit with them during the first few sessions to make sure the game is right for them.
4. Enable parental controls
Most consoles and gaming platforms have parental controls to limit content, set playtime, and monitor activity—use them. We use Aura with console controls to filter content, track activity, and set time limits. Aura’s customizable time limits can be set per app, per category, or per website; once time is up, access is blocked for the day. It’s also easy for parents to change limits or cut internet access when needed.
5. Teach about personal information
Make sure kids never share details like their full name, age, school, or address with strangers. Pick usernames that don’t reveal personal info and check their profiles regularly.
6. Manage friend lists
Tell your child to accept friend requests only from people they know in real life. Remind them that people online aren’t always who they claim to be.
7. Control in-game chat
Limit or turn off in-game chat to reduce exposure to bad language or unsafe interactions. Many games let you mute or disable chat—use those settings and combine them with Aura’s monitoring when possible. I appreciate that Aura monitors voice and text in-game around the clock for many popular PC games.
8. Recognize cyberbullying
Teach kids what cyberbullying looks like and urge them to report it. Reassure them it’s not their fault and that you need to know so you can help stop it.
9. Encourage responsible gaming
Set screen-time limits and require breaks for physical activity and homework. Help your child balance gaming with other daily responsibilities.
10. Stay informed
Know the games your child plays—play with them or watch so you understand the content and the community they’re part of.
11. Keep devices in shared spaces
In our house, laptops and tablets are used only in shared areas, not bedrooms.
Online gaming can be safe and enjoyable when you stay alert, keep communication open, and use the right tools. As a mom, I love the peace of mind Aura gives by helping prevent cyberbullying, scams, and predator threats. By following these tips, using digital safety apps, and staying involved, you can help your family have a safer, more positive gaming experience.
Try Aura for an easy way to stay safe online — start a 14-day free trial and get an exclusive discount using my link!
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