Video games have come a long way since the days of Pong. Now, more and more games are hooked up for online gaming that allows you to play with gamers from all over the world. Of course, as exciting as this can be, online gaming does present unique risks that parents should be aware of before letting their children fire up that PlayStation or Xbox.
For example, having your own dedicated gaming server is one of the most effective ways to keep your gameplay (and your children) safe online. But there are also many other ways to make your online gaming experience safer and more secure.
Here, we’re taking a closer look at ways that you can make online gaming not only safer for your kids, but also more fun.
Table of Contents
1. Understand the Risks
Before anything else, it’s important to inform yourself about the world of online gaming. While most of it is harmless (and most gamers they’ll encounter are similar individuals who simply want to play a fun game), there are individuals out there who may try to gain your child’s trust or act inappropriately.
Find out what games your children are playing and have an open discussion with them about interacting with other gamers online—what to expect and how they should act.
2. Use a Dedicated Gaming Server
Looking for a way to have complete security over your online gaming experience? If so, you should invest in a dedicated gaming server. When using a dedicated server, you’ll be hosting your online gameplay on your own personal server. This means you have complete control over who can log in and play against anyone on your server.
It also allows you to fully customize your gameplay, and for most, a dedicated server offers the best overall speed and gameplay so you can take your online games to the next level.
3. Use Parental Control Features
Believe it or not, most of these games are designed to keep players safer online. Most online games will have built-in parental control features that can make the online world a much safer space. Explore the parental features to see just what parameters you can set for your child’s gaming experience.
4. Play Along with Them
There’s no better way to learn about the world of online gaming than by picking up a controller and joining in on the fun. By playing the games with your children, you’ll have a better idea as to what the environment is really like and what, if any, potential hazards there may be. It’s also a great way to spend more time together.
Final Thought
Online gaming allows you to play your favorite games with other gamers all over the world. But there are also certain risks inherent with this type of connection.
Luckily, there are many ways, such as understanding the risks, using a dedicated gaming server, using parental control features, and playing along with your kids, to make your online gaming experience safer—and more fun—for the entire family.
