Safe gaming online
Gaming is fun but it can come with risks such as unwanted contact, overspending on in-app purchases or even getting drawn into gambling. Here are some resources that can help.
How in-game chat works
In-game chat is when you chat within a game via talk or text. You can plan strategies with teammates, or chat about your day.
What are the risks?
Nobody using in-game chat can see the faces of other players. Others in a game may be strangers. There is the risk of unwanted contact with someone you don't know.
Gaming can expose young players to risks like cyberbullying, sexual grooming and unwanted contact. Some games simulate or encourage gambling through the spending of real money or incentives such as tokens and points. Learn about the risks of gaming from the eSafety Commissioner.
Privacy settings
When it comes to in-game chat, you and your parents are in control of who can chat with you. You just need to know how to adjust the privacy settings.
You can choose to listen to others in the game. You might want to chat with everyone in the game. But you might only want to send and receive voice messages from people you've added as friends in the game or only your team for that game.
You get to control these settings and change them whenever you want. You don't have to use in-game chat at all if you don't feel like it. Many popular games include simple symbols and prepared responses, so you don't have to type, or talk, to communicate with your team.
Most games have profanity filters, so players can't ruin the game with swearing. Players who post too often may get blocked from the chat for up to 30 seconds.
To learn how to adjust each game's privacy settings, go to the Office of the eSafety Commissioner's eSafety Guide.
Mute or block
Muting and blocking are sensible options if you're having trouble with a person in a game.
- Muting another player means you'll no longer hear them or read what they say, but you'll still be able to chat with other players in the game. Muting yourself means nobody can hear you or see what you type, but you can still hear other players and read what they type.
- Blocking a player means they can't send you in-game messages or join games you're in.
Report
If a player uses inappropriate chat, cheats, or does anything else that violates the game’s terms and conditions, you can submit a formal report to the gaming platform.
Reporting bad behaviour improves the game experience for other players.
Tips for parents and carers
Research shows children often think of reporting as dobbing. Start a conversation that shows you understand this dilemma and empower them to know when to report another player.
Encourage your child to talk to you if they're concerned about anything they read, hear or experience in online chat and help your child contact the eSafety Commissioner to report cyberbullying behaviours.
Quick safety tips
Remember:
- only use in-game chat to talk to real-life friends or people you know
- never share personal details in the chat
- talk to a parent if you experience inappropriate behaviour
- mute, block or report players who do the wrong thing
- report cyberbullying to the Office of the eSafety Commissioner
- use the option to turn off in-game chat if you need to.
In-app purchases and gambling
Some games simulate gambling through the spending of real money or incentives such as tokens and points.
As a parent, you can help protect your child by:
- learning how to use parental controls
- understanding what your child's doing online
- playing online games with your child to role-model good behaviours
- talking with your child about the dangers of gambling.
Visit the Office of the eSafety Commissioner's setting limits on in-game purchases and gambling themes in online games.
For more help, visit online gaming advice for parents or online gaming for young people.