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Let’s face it, back when we were kids we really didn’t have to worry about a lot of the stuff that kids have to worry about nowadays. I mean, bullying has always been a problem, but with the ever increasing ease that technology provides as a 24/7, 365 days a year platform, children are a lot more vulnerable to dangers that our parents never even had to consider.
According to research conducted by the Australian E-Safety Commission at least 60 percent of Australians aged between 8 – 17 years of age, game online for the multiplayer experience. Of the people surveyed, 50 percent play with people who they have never even met before in real life. If we lived in an ideal world this online multiplayer function would be a great way for kids to be able to interact with their friends as well as connect with other kids all around the world who are also playing the same games. Unfortunately, we live in a world that is far from perfect.
Last year 200,000 Aussie kids got bullied whilst online gaming, only 30 percent of these kids reported the bullying to the correct channels such as game moderators. It’s important to remember that it’s not just bullying that we have to worry about.
Swansea University experts have been investigating the issue of grooming in online gaming over the last four years, trying to capture how groomers operate in the online world.
Nuria Lorenzo-Dus, who is a professor of English and applied linguistics at Swansea, said that by looking at 140,000 words in recorded online logs of convicted paedophiles, they we able to bust a few myths about groomers online and how they operate.
“We know that we can identify several language indicators that we hope will raise awareness of the kind of things that parents, educators, those working with children may want to look for,” said Prof Lorenzo-Dus.
“Sexually explicit language is one indicator – but it is not the only indicator.
“What we have is a very-marked interest in the victim, asking a lot of personal information: Where they live, does mum and dad work, how long do they go on the internet, if it is Minecraft – how long do they play?
“It is all this bonding talk that seems to be geared towards friendship that they use as a way to hook the victim. It is a way to develop trust.”
The researchers also found that despite popular beliefs, most groomers did not pretend to be kids and were open about being adults, ranging in age from 18 – 60 years of age.
It all sounds pretty gloomy, but it’s important to know the facts. Once we know the facts we are able to calculate how we can keep our kids safe online, here are a few tips from the Team at the Game Vault.
1)Talk to your kids & set rules
Have an open discussion about safety online and spend time setting some ground rules. Make it apparent to them that if they aren’t playing responsibly they will no longer be able to play online with their friends. It’s important to let them know that you will be monitoring their game play and vetting out their friends. If things start to get out of hand you can always pull the plug!
2) Play together
Kids tend to think that their parents’ aren’t ‘cool’ but I bet you’ll earn some serious street cred if you join in on the gaming experience! This will give you the opportunity to model good online behaviour, whilst also bonding with your child.
3) Only play with people you both know
If your child is still quite young, make it a policy that they are only allowed to play with people that you both know. Just like you teach your kids not to approach random strangers in the street, the same lesson can be used in the online world.
4) Turn off the voice chat function
This is a great rule for kids and adults alike, it reduces the likelihood of cyber bullying.
5) Treat others how you want to be treated
This is one of those golden rules, in real life and online. Always reinforce this, that way your kids will also be treating other gamers with respect, reducing the use of inappropriate behaviour and language.
6) Teach your child how to report
Spend some time showing your kids how they can report any inappropriate behaviour and/or language.
With these tips under your belt, and an honest open discussion with your kids you’ll feel slightly more at ease (hopefully) about your children in the online gaming world. Remember these tips aren’t fool proof so always keep an eye out and take note of any unusual behaviour.
Here’s to fun and safe gaming for everyone!
For a safe gaming party option, be sure to contact us here at Game Vault!
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