Online Gaming (Stay Stay Online)
Online Gaming Tips for Kids, Tweens and Teens
Online gaming is fun and interactive. You can play with friends or with people across the globe. Make sure you know how to protect yourself and your personal information while playing online. Following these simple guidelines can prevent problems later.
The first step is STOP. THINK. CONNECT.
It’s your game. Take control.
Protect Your Personal Information.
Be Web Wise.
Stay informed of the latest Internet developments, know what to do if something goes wrong and be open with your parents about what you are doing online.
Be a Good Online Citizen.
5 things to look out for when playing Games online:
It’s easy for some people to lie online and some of these online friends’ may be adults who want to hurt you. How can you tell?
1. They will try to gain your trust and ‘make friends’ with you. They build this trust by making you think they have things in common with you - like hobbies or the game that you’re playing with them.
2. They might try to get you to do things, like add them on a social network, give them your phone number, send them photos or chat on webcam. This can get very difficult if they talk about things which make you uncomfortable or ask you to do things you don’t want to do.
3. They might offer to tell you ‘cheats’ to help you out with a game. If they ask for something in return, think about why they are doing this - are they a ‘real’ friend or trying to build your trust - be alert!
4. Remember, if they share a link with you it could be a computer virus or spyware, which tells the person your personal information without you knowing - be careful and don’t click on links from people you don’t know!
5. They may encourage you to tell them personal information such as where you live and what school you go to. This is part of their attempt to get your trust and will tell them how to find you in the real world.
(http://www.staysafeonline.org)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/58879941@N06/6840694816?rb=1
https://www.flickr.com/photos/holtsman/4620019487
Online gaming is fun and interactive. You can play with friends or with people across the globe. Make sure you know how to protect yourself and your personal information while playing online. Following these simple guidelines can prevent problems later.
The first step is STOP. THINK. CONNECT.
It’s your game. Take control.
- If another player is making you feel uncomfortable, tell a trusted adult. Remember that you can always kick a player out of the game if they are making you uncomfortable.
- Learn how to block and/or report another player if they are making you uncomfortable. Keep a record of what the other player said, but do not engage them.
- You shouldn't play with people you don’t know or who aren’t your good friends (It is best to always use a disguise).
- Use a safe Game Name: something cool like SecretNinja99 or Pirateking2
- Use an avatar instead of the webcam. Sure, the webcam is cool, but strangers don’t need to know what you look like. Embrace an air of mystery.
- Avoid voice chat to protect your anonymity.
Protect Your Personal Information.
- Personal information is any information that can be used to identify you or your accounts. Examples include your name, address, phone number, user names and passwords, pictures and birthdays.
- Secure your accounts: Ask for protection beyond passwords. Many account providers now offer additional ways for you verify who you are before you conduct business on that site.
- Make passwords long and strong: Combine capital and lowercase letters with numbers and symbols to create a more secure password. (Remember, passwords are the keys to your accounts. The only people who need to know them are YOU and your parents. Not your brother, sister or best friend – just you.)
- Own your online presence: When available, set the privacy and security settings on websites to your comfort level for information sharing. It's ok to limit how and with whom you share information.
Be Web Wise.
Stay informed of the latest Internet developments, know what to do if something goes wrong and be open with your parents about what you are doing online.
- Stay current. Keep up to date with new ways to stay safe online. Check trusted websites for the latest information, share with friends and family, and encourage them to be web wise.
- Think before you act: Be wary of communications that implores you to act immediately, offers something that sounds too good to be true, or asks for personal information. Do not accept downloads from strangers. This includes cheat programs that may claim to help you perform better in the game, but really could be carrying malware.
Be a Good Online Citizen.
- It is easy to say things from behind a computer screen that you would never say face to face. Maintain the same level of courtesy online that you would in the real world.
- Safer for me more secure for all: What you do online has the potential to affect everyone – at home and around the world. Practicing good online habits benefits the global digital community.
5 things to look out for when playing Games online:
It’s easy for some people to lie online and some of these online friends’ may be adults who want to hurt you. How can you tell?
1. They will try to gain your trust and ‘make friends’ with you. They build this trust by making you think they have things in common with you - like hobbies or the game that you’re playing with them.
2. They might try to get you to do things, like add them on a social network, give them your phone number, send them photos or chat on webcam. This can get very difficult if they talk about things which make you uncomfortable or ask you to do things you don’t want to do.
3. They might offer to tell you ‘cheats’ to help you out with a game. If they ask for something in return, think about why they are doing this - are they a ‘real’ friend or trying to build your trust - be alert!
4. Remember, if they share a link with you it could be a computer virus or spyware, which tells the person your personal information without you knowing - be careful and don’t click on links from people you don’t know!
5. They may encourage you to tell them personal information such as where you live and what school you go to. This is part of their attempt to get your trust and will tell them how to find you in the real world.
(http://www.staysafeonline.org)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/58879941@N06/6840694816?rb=1
https://www.flickr.com/photos/holtsman/4620019487