Chapter 6: Gaming Safely: Fun and Secure Online Play

Eva’s Guide to Staying Safe Online

Eva’s Gaming Adventure: Dos and Don’ts

As Eva and Oliver continued their journey, they discovered a vibrant and exciting gaming world filled with fun challenges and opportunities to make new friends. Eva was eager to start playing, but Oliver reminded her of the importance of online safety while gaming.

“Remember, Eva, we need to stay safe even when we’re having fun. Here are some dos and don’ts for a secure gaming adventure,” Oliver advised.

  1. Do choose games from trusted sources: Make sure to download and play games from official app stores or websites, as they are more likely to be safe and free from malware.

  2. Don’t share personal information: Just like in other online interactions, avoid sharing your real name, age, location, or other personal details with other players.

  3. Do report inappropriate behavior: If someone is being rude or harassing you, report them to the game’s moderators or administrators.

  4. Don’t accept friend requests from strangers: While it’s fun to make new friends, be cautious when accepting friend requests in games. Stick to playing with people you know and trust.

  5. Do use strong, unique passwords for your gaming accounts: This helps to keep your account secure and prevent unauthorized access.

Eva nodded, determined to follow Oliver’s advice and have a safe gaming experience.

Parental Controls and Monitoring Tools

As Eva started playing, she noticed a friendly owl perched on a nearby tree. “Hi there! I’m Ollie, the online safety owl. I’m here to remind you that your parents can help you stay safe while gaming, too.”

Eva was curious about how her parents could help, so Ollie shared some tips:

  1. Set up parental controls: Many games and gaming platforms have built-in parental controls that can limit access to certain content, restrict chat features, or set daily time limits.

  2. Monitor your child’s gaming activities: Keep an eye on the games your child plays and who they interact with. Make sure to discuss online safety and set clear rules for gaming.

  3. Play together: Encourage your parents to join you in playing games. This can be a fun way to bond and learn about online safety together.

Eva was grateful for guidance and excited to share her gaming experiences with her family. With her newfound knowledge, Eva embarked on her gaming adventure, knowing she was well-equipped to stay safe and have fun in the digital world.