As we are in the midst of the holiday season, many children may be hoping to receive their first games console or even looking for an upgrade. During the holiday season, many might also be hoping for a little more gaming time or to connect with friends and family online through their favourite games. As parents this can be a daunting prospect. Where do you start? How do you keep them safe? How do you make sure that they don’t get addicted!
While this article won’t tell you whether you should or shouldn’t do any or all of the above, it will guide you through some key areas that will enable you to make informed choices so that you are able to provide appropriate safety for your family.
Games consoles have long been a source of activity and entertainment for children and adults alike. Last December, they ranked as one of the most popular gifts purchased and it is now estimated that 68% of 7-18 year olds own a games console. With a multitude of consoles to choose from and a wealth of settings to contend with, it can be tricky to ensure you are getting it right. Internet Matters have teamed up with Education Arts and published a really helpful guide for parents whose children will be unwrapping games consoles this year.
The article is directed at those looking to purchase and set up their first games console, but it is also helpful for you to look through so that you can ensure that your existing setup is safe. It is never too late to check your safety settings.
Starting with highlighting the importance of setup and parental controls, the article provides you with easy to access setup guides for Nintendo, Playstation and XBOX. Each console is covered in bite size pieces of information with images and videos that walk you through the process, with the aim being to give you maximum safety confidence with minimum stress. For those who want to explore further, there are additional links to resources regarding age appropriate gaming, staying safe guides and choosing age appropriate devices. A stand out safety feature for parents is the short video on conversation starters with your kids about online gaming - prompts that can be transferred to all elements of the online world.
At the bottom of the article, you can access the material in a variety of languages: Chinese/Dutch/French/German/Hindi/Italian/Polish/Portuguese/Russian/Spanish and Welsh.
If you are still undecided about the games console to choose, they also provide a helpful buyers guide, keeping safety at the heart of everything.
To provide a greater understanding of the risks posed with games consoles and online gaming, the Safe Search Kids article: Why Keeping Games Consoles Secure Should be a Priority provides a clear breakdown of all of the risks and threats associated with gaming devices. Together with the INTERNET MATTERS articles, you should feel well informed to make the right choices for your family this holiday.
Did you know:
Roblox is used by over 90 million people daily. Recently they announced some major updates which are available to users and parents.
The rollout has started and will be fully implemented by March 2025. These safety updates include:
- Limits to how children under 13 can communicate.
- Parental controls accessible from the parents phone rather from the child's device (remote management).
For explanation of all the new features, visit the Roblox website HERE.
My First Console - Internet Matters
