Playing video games is one of the most preferred activities among kids. This increase in the use of video games forces parents to pay more attention to the time their children spend playing and to verify if the content is appropriate for their age.
Young players now face all kinds of cyber threats, ranging from downloading free game applications that may contain malicious code, to unauthorized purchases within applications, or contact with strangers through online interaction.
According to the study ‘Not logging on, but living on’ by Kaspersky Lab and B2B International, in a span of 12 months, children faced at least one online threat, and 2 out of 10 accessed inappropriate content (17%) or came into contact with viruses and malicious programs ( 17% ).
The study also revealed that almost 20% of minors are addicted to the Internet. However, only 51% of parents are concerned that their children see inappropriate or explicit content, or that they communicate with strangers ( 43% ).
Another important aspect to consider is online shopping within video games, as it is increasingly common for games to be downloaded for free, but later you have to pay for ‘extras’, such as virtual money to acquire lives, arsenal or others.
If you do not have the proper precaution, this business model can generate thousands of pesos in purchases for parents, in addition to the risk of falling into a trap that cybercriminals who take advantage of the vulnerability of children.
3 TIPS FOR PARENTS TO PROTECT KIDS
1. Know the game and its configuration
Many video games have options to play online with other players or connect to stores to buy game tools. Some even include links to subscribe to the gaming community and register your points. Find out if the configuration is properly defined so that children can play without any risk.
2. Watch while the children play
It is important to monitor the screen of the device and have monitored what is appearing during the game, both for its content, and to monitor the interaction that may be with other players online. Ideally, be aware of the invitations to connect online and be safe with whom the children play. It is also important to raise awareness about the information they can and should not share online.
3. Use parental control apps
You can download parental control apps available on the market that allow parents to keep children protected from online risks. For example, manage the time allowed to use their devices and thus prevent them from playing longer than allowed, as well as block access to certain websites. One such app is FamilyTime.
