Kids Safe. Lots of kids are into gaming these days. It’s huge, whether it’s on phones, consoles, tablets, or computers. But while gaming can be awesome for improving skills like hand-eye coordination and problem-solving, it’s not all rainbows and unicorns. There are some downsides, like getting too hooked or dealing with bullies online. In the UK alone, about 12% of young folks face online bullying, as per the UK Safer Internet Centre (UKSIC).
Parental Predicaments: The Impact on Families
Meet Rachael. She’s a mom from London with a 16-year-old son who’s totally into gaming. But it hasn’t been smooth sailing. Her son, who also has ADHD, started gaming at 11 and would get really ticked off and aggressive when things didn’t go his way in games. It got pretty bad – he’d throw stuff or hit things when he got frustrated. Rachael found sports-related gaming to be even more intense. “Boys go mad on it,” she says. Plus, it can get pricey if they start buying stuff in-game.
The Dangers Lurking Online
The UKSIC warns parents about chat functions in online games. These let players talk to each other, and it can get dicey. Sometimes it’s an open chat where anyone can type anything, and other times, you’re stuck choosing from a set of phrases. There are even public chats where players mingle. But here’s the rub: bullying isn’t just a social media thing; it happens in games too. It could be mean comments or targeting other players. Most games have options to report or block bullies, though.
Tackling the Issue: Tips for Parents
Rachael struggled to rein in her son’s gaming habit and the emotions it stirred up. But she found some tactics that worked. First off, she tightened the reins on his playtime by moving the PlayStation to her bedroom. She also discovered he was playing with strangers, so that was a no-go. In quieter moments, she’d have heart-to-heart talks with him about how gaming made him feel – the anger and frustration. Slowly but surely, they figured things out.
Tips and Tricks
So, what can you do if you’re in a similar boat? The UKSIC suggests chatting with your kid to get why they love gaming so much. Focus on the good stuff about gaming in moderation instead of just calling it a bad habit. Did you know 74% of young folks say gaming helps them learn skills like concentration and teamwork? That’s pretty cool, right?
If you’re not a gaming pro, it’s cool! Check out the UKSIC website for tips on games and consoles like Roblox and Nintendo. Also, get in touch with your internet provider to learn about tools to make gaming safer, like Wi-Fi controls and parental settings.
A Safer Gaming Experience with EE
If you want to level up your kid’s gaming safety, EE’s got your back. They’ve got this GameSmart website that reviews 50 popular console games and gives them ratings. Super handy for parents to decide if a game’s right for their kids.
And here’s the tech magic: EE’s Wi-Fi controls let you pause the connection at certain times, like bedtime or when it’s time for a screen break. You can add filters and parental controls too, and even group devices on your Wi-Fi, like all the ‘Kids’ stuff.
When it’s game time, you want it to be smooth, right? EE’s got a game mode in their app that sorts out settings like ‘Ping Optimiser’ to make sure there’s no lag and everything runs smoothly. Server Thailand. Their Wi-Fi enhancer prioritizes gaming traffic and even lets you lock onto the best server location while avoiding the bad ones.
Final Thoughts
Gaming can be awesome, but there are hiccups. Parents like Rachael have found ways to navigate through it. It’s about balancing the good stuff with the challenges and making sure it’s all safe and cool for the kids. So, level up your knowledge, chat with your kids, and use tech tools like EE’s to keep gaming fun and safe!
