Eliminating and Limiting Online Play Download
Parent Guide (PDF)
Again, even if a game has a safe ESRB rating,
online play can put your kids into contact with people who do not have the same
standards. Using the Parental Controls described above, you can take steps to
prevent your kids’ from having inappropriate experiences in online play.
But changing the settings alone won’t keep your children safe. You have to
decide how to use them, and before that, you have to know how.
Setting
appropriate online boundaries requires that you understand your options and what
you need to watch out for. Here are a few things you should think about when you’re
making your family’s choices for online play.
Buddy Lists
Just as you care about who your children play with in the real world, you should
care about their playmates in the online world. Unlike the real world, however,
the online environment is not limited by geography or age. Often, anyone can play
with anyone…unless you set limits on your child’s buddy list. A buddy
list is a predetermined list of people that a user can interact with. Make sure
you help your kids set their buddy lists so they include safe, appropriate friends.
Mods
A “mod,” or modification of an exiting game’s
software, is usually not created by the people who made the game itself. Sometimes
these “mods” just offer expanded gameplay options. Frequently, however,
these mods insert mature content into the game. It’s important to understand
that even if a game has a safe ESRB rating, the mod is not rated. Make sure you
limit the kinds of mods your kids use.
Cameras and Chatting
Many games offer players the option to chat with people while they play and some
use cameras so players can see each other. Sometimes these features are an important
part of game play. Make sure you know if your kids are playing these kinds of
games and who they’re playing them with. These considerations should factor
into your decisions when helping your kids with buddy lists and rating limitations.
Monitoring Use, Addressing Red Flags
Some of the consoles
and computers allow you to go back and monitor the kind of online experiences
your kids are having. If you use this feature, make sure you discuss online play
with your children to determine if you need to make changes to the settings you’ve
selected. You can block people from their buddy lists, mute their ability to chat
online, or even eliminate online play altogether. You also have the option to
report offensive or dangerous users who have contacted your kids. |
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