# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Social media guides - UK Safer Internet Centre

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Find out more about the safety features available on popular social networks.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The internet is an amazing resource which enables children and young people to connect, communicate and be creative in a number of different ways, on a range of devices.

However, there are risks online, which will vary depending on a child's age, online activities and vulnerabilities.

It can help to ask your social worker if the young person has a history of any online harm or risk (eg bullying, self-harm, grooming or sexual abuse). It is worth being aware that low self-esteem and other emotional, social and behavioural issues can make children more vulnerable to online risks.

We have grouped potential online risks into these 4 categories:

Conduct: Children may be at risk because of their own behaviour, for example, by sharing too much information

Children need to be aware of the impact that their online activity can have on both themselves and other people, and the digital footprint that they create on the internet. Young people may share too much and take risks such as chatting to strangers or sharing sexual images. It's easy to feel anonymous online and it's important that children are aware of who is able to view, and potentially share, the information that they may have posted. When using the internet, it's important to keep personal information safe and not share it with strangers. Discuss the importance of reporting inappropriate conversations, messages, images and behaviours and how this can be done.

Content: Age-inappropriate or unreliable content can be available to children

Online content can be viewed via a range of devices, including laptops, smartphones, tablets and games consoles. Some online content is not suitable for children and may be hurtful or harmful. For example, content that is pornographic, violent, extremist or promotes suicide or anorexia. It's important for children to consider the reliability of online material and be aware that information might not be true or may be written with a bias. Children may need your help as they begin to assess content in this way. There can be legal consequences for using or downloading copyrighted content, without seeking the author's permission.

Contact: Children can be contacted by bullies or people who groom or seek to abuse them

It is important for children to realise that new friends made online may not be who they say they are and that once a friend is added to an online account, you may be sharing your personal information with them. Regularly reviewing friends lists and removing unwanted contacts is a useful step. Privacy settings online may also allow you to customise the information that each friend is able to access. If you have concerns that your child is, or has been, the subject of inappropriate sexual contact or approached by another person, it's vital that you report it to the police via the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (www.ceop.police.uk). If your child is the victim of cyberbullying, this can also be reported online and offline. Reinforce the importance of telling a trusted adult straight away if someone is bullying them or making them feel uncomfortable, or if one of their friends is being bullied online.

Commercialism: Young people can be unaware of hidden costs and advertising

Young people's privacy and enjoyment online can sometimes be affected by advertising and marketing schemes. Young people can also be unaware of hidden costs in games and apps. Encourage your children to keep their personal information private, learn how to block both pop ups and spam emails, turn off in-app purchasing on devices where possible, and use a family email address when filling in online forms.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Foster carers and adoptive parents - UK Safer Internet Centre

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Guidance and advice for foster carers and adoptive parents around managing online safety within the household.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Tips, advice and resources for grandparents who are looking to help keep their grandchild or children in their care safe online.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Parents and Carers - UK Safer Internet Centre

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Tips, advice, guides and resources to help keep your child safe online

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Parental controls - UK Safer Internet Centre

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Online Safety Tips, Advice and Resources

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Safer Internet Day 2023 - film for parents and carers

# data[].attributes.headline
How to create an environment for kids to talk

# data[].attributes.subject
How to create an environment for kids to talk

# data[].attributes.headline
In-game chat: what parents and carers need to know

# data[].attributes.subject
In-game chat: what parents and carers need to know

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Online games are really popular amongst children. 59% of 5-15 year olds play online games, as games like Fortnite, Minecraft and Roblox become increasingly important part of their social lives.

While playing games online is often great fun and a good way to chat, there is a chance that your children will play with people they don't know who may use in-game chat inappropriately to expose them to harm or risk.

That's why we've put together this guide to help you understand why your children will chat online, what risks there are and what measures you can take to protect them while they're playing their favourite games.

Why do players talk to each other in online games?

Online games are social activities. Some are co-operative, encouraging players to work together to achieve their goal. Others are competitive, pitting teams or players against one another to emerge victorious. And then there are games designed with socialising in mind to allow people to connect and have fun.

In all these games, talking is either key for achieving objectives in game or for allowing that social interaction to take place. This is what usually happens and, for the most part, children are able to have safe conversations with their friends.

But, as with any space for talking online, there is a possibility that the chat tools used to bring players together can be abused. That's why it's important to take an interest in any online game your children play to identify risks.

How does in-game chat take place?

Every game is different, which means that there are different ways of talking in game. There are a few common ways of talking though:

Built in open chat functions. Using the game's built-in chat functions you can talk through voice (via a headset) or text (by typing on a keyboard) with other people in the game

Quick chat functions. A 'quick chat' function has set phrases, so you can send short automatic messages to a team mate or player. For example, sending 'Nice shot!' to a team mate who scores a good goal.

Platform messaging. Some gaming platforms let you send voice or text messages to other players, just like a messaging app or social media. For example, PlayStation Network or Steam Friends & Chat. Players give this number to their friends and other players so they can add them to the game and chat with them.

'Ping' systems. Some games use non - verbal communication to 'talk'. A 'ping' is where you can alert other players to a useful item or hazard by 'pointing' at it and pressing a button.

Chat or messaging apps. Players can also use external apps like Discord, Twitch or WhatsApp to talk to each other during the game. This chat can be voice, video or text. Some apps can even be set up to look like they are part of the game (called in -game overlay).

Players can also talk to each other outside of the game. This might be on social media apps, through the platform messaging or in other online forums and chat rooms.

What are the risks of in-game chat?

Chatting with people they don't know. Gaming is different to social networks, as players often play against people they don't know. This may include adults.

Inappropriate or unmoderated chat. While many in-game chat functions are monitored, and players look after each other, chat is live. In some games swearing and insults are common, especially when a player hasn't performed very well. Mean comments or insults can hurt, and competitive criticism might feel like bullying for some children.

Requests to chat in private. Some people online genuinely just want to chat about gaming. But once they move to private chat, your child could be exposed to greater risks. They might share personal information or feel pressured to do something that they don't want to do. If the chat is happening on a different chat or messaging app, then it will no longer be monitored by the game developer's moderation tools or community team.

Offering gifts or trades. Some people may offer to trade - or give - your child in-game items or currencies to earn their trust and persuade them to have a separate conversation outside of the game. Remember, once they're out of the game and into a private space, then it will no longer be monitored by the game.

Safer in-game chat

Games platforms and developers have put in a lot of settings to help manage or protect children from inappropriate chat.

Family controls. Games platforms have in-built family controls to let you limit in-game chat to friends list only or turn it off completely. This means children can either only talk to people they know or not communicate at all.

Customised chat. Most games allow players to customise chat options, including letting players turn off voice chat, text chat and limiting conversation to people they know.

Monitoring and reporting systems. Games also use artificial intelligence (AI) moderation systems to filter or identify inappropriate chat. They also have reporting systems to let players report anyone behaving abusively, which can lead to temporary or permanent bans from the service.

However, these settings only work after they've been set. That's why we recommend spending a little bit of time with your child the first time they go into a new online game. It'll help you work out how they talk in game and help you work out what settings you may choose to turn on to keep them safer.

What can you do to help your child with safer in-game chat?

Fortunately, there are also a few practical steps you can take too.

Play, or watch your children play, online games to understand how they talk online, who they talk to online and what you're comfortable with.

With older children, who may not want you to play with them, have regular chats about the games they play, who they talk to and how.

Use family controls and in-game settings to manage, limit or turn off in-game chat to make sure that you're confident interactions are right for your children.

With primary aged children, keep games devices in a shared space in the house (for example, the living room) and use settings to limit screen time to help children to manage their time.

To catch potential problems early, encourage your children to report inappropriate chat in game and to tell you if anything in the game makes them feel worried or uncomfortable.

If your child enjoys playing games, remember that there are plenty of games that aren't online that your children can play at home with you, or friends to help you manage interactions further.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Online games are really popular amongst children. 59% of 5-15 year olds play online games, as games like Fortnite, Minecraft and Roblox become increasingly important part of their social lives.

# data[].attributes.body
Video games, consoles & platforms

If your child is a keen gamer and uses a range of consoles or devices to play the latest games, make sure to set them up safe. Take a look at our list of parental control how-to guides to get up to speed on how to set the right level of protection to give them a fun and safe experience while playing video games.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
If your child is a keen gamer and uses a range of consoles or devices to play the latest games, make sure to set them up safe. Take a look at our list of parental control how-to guides to get up to speed on how to set the right level of protection to give them a fun and safe experience while playing video games.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
See our range of Set up Safe how-to guide to learn how to get children's gaming consoles, platforms or apps set up with parental controls to keep them safe.

# data[].attributes.body
Tips, advice, guides and resources to help keep your child safe online

As a parent or carer you play a key role in helping your child to stay safe online.

You don’t need to be an expert on the internet to help keep your child stay safe online. Our advice and resources are here to support you as you support your child to use the internet safely, responsibility and positively.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Parents and Carers - UK Safer Internet Centre

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Tips, advice, guides and resources to help keep your child safe online

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Each of these collections have been mapped to the Education for a Connected World framework set out by the UK Council for Internet Safety. Pages contain downloadable teacher resource documents with lesson ideas, discussion points and potential homework activities.