Internet Matters
Search

Online gaming – The Risks

Gaming is a great way for children to have fun, socialise, and develop new skills along the way. But, like anything online, there are a few risks to watch out for to make sure they stay safe and keep gaming positive.

What’s on the page

What are the risks of online gaming?

Gaming can create a space where children feel connected and supported by others, but without proper guidance on what games to play or how to manage their time, they may encounter challenges like in-game bullying, online grooming, or, in some cases, gaming addiction.

To help your child navigate these risks, we’ve outlined practical advice to build their resilience and empower them to make safer, more informed choices while gaming.

Quick summary of risks

Some games or player interactions may expose children to unsuitable content, such as violence, bad language, or adult themes. Many games allow users to upload their own content, which might not always be age-appropriate.

Tip: Use age ratings and parental controls to block unsuitable games and content.

In multiplayer games, other players might behave aggressively, use hurtful language, or exclude others. This can negatively impact your child’s self-esteem and enjoyment.

Tip: Encourage your child to talk to you about their experiences and know how to report or block abusive players.

Online gaming often involves chatting with strangers, which can lead to risks like grooming or exposure to harmful behaviours.

Tip: Teach your child never to share personal information and to stick to playing with people they know in real life.

Gaming can be addictive, and spending too much time online may affect their sleep, schoolwork, or relationships.

Tip: Set boundaries around gaming time and encourage a healthy balance of activities.

Many games include in-app purchases or “loot boxes” that require real money. Kids may not always understand the financial impact of these features.

Tip: Disable in-app purchases or set up spending limits on their accounts.

Some games collect personal data, and kids might not realise how their information is being used.

Tip: Use privacy settings and teach your child to avoid sharing personal information online.

Online players may use cheats or scams to trick others, potentially leading to frustration or financial loss.

Tip: Remind your child to avoid sharing account details and to only download trusted software or updates.

Online game addiction

Tech expert Andy Robertson speaks to BBC radio about gaming addiction

close Close video

Understanding online gaming addiction

Concerns about gaming addiction are common among parents and carers, especially with increased attention in the news. Like any enjoyable hobby, gaming can lead to children wanting to play for longer and more frequently, particularly as games are designed to encourage repeat play and maximise enjoyment.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently classified “gaming disorder” under addictive behaviours, alongside alcohol and gambling. However, this diagnosis applies only to extreme cases where gaming severely impacts other areas of life—such as school, relationships, or health—for at least 12 months, despite negative consequences.

It’s important to note that the dopamine levels triggered by gaming are far lower than those from addictive substances. Withdrawal from gaming may cause mood-related symptoms like irritability or aggression, rather than chemical dependency. Treatment focuses on helping children develop healthier habits and boundaries.

Parents can support by setting screen time limits, encouraging balanced routines, and staying involved in their child’s gaming.

Tips for parents to tackle online gaming addiction

Understand What They’re Playing and for How Long
Take time to review the games your child is playing and how much time they’re spending on them. This will give you a better sense of their gaming habits and whether they might need adjusting.

Set Time Limits
If gaming starts to take over, applying time limits can be a helpful short-term measure to break unhealthy patterns and re-establish balance.

Encourage Regular Breaks
Make it a rule to take a break of at least five minutes every 45–60 minutes of gaming. This can help prevent burnout and promote healthier gaming habits.

Balance Gaming with Other Activities
Instead of only focusing on time limits, try playing games together and encouraging a mix of other activities, such as sports, hobbies, or spending time outdoors. This helps your child develop a well-rounded routine.

Seek Professional Support if Needed
If you’re worried that gaming is negatively affecting your child’s health or wellbeing, consult your GP or a healthcare professional for advice and support.

Contact with strangers

Fixers short film encouraging young gamers to be aware of who they talk to online

close Close video

The social side of gaming

Video games have always been more fun when shared with others. While this used to mean playing together in the same room, it has now shifted to playing with people online—sometimes with hundreds of players at once.

Take Fortnite, for example, its massive popularity comes from the thrill of competing against 100 players in a single game. Similarly, games like Roblox offer vast social experiences, where players can interact with strangers, creating both opportunities and risks.

The rise of social networking in gaming

The lines between gaming and social media are increasingly blurred. Games now double as social platforms, allowing players to chat, share, and collaborate. For many children, their first interaction with someone they don’t know online is more likely to happen in a game than on traditional social media platforms.

Online personas and hidden identities

Players often use online personas, making it difficult to know who they’re really interacting with. A player may claim to be another child, but verifying this is challenging. That’s why it’s crucial for parents to understand the games their children are playing and set up safety measures, such as privacy settings and communication controls.

Embracing the benefits

When approached sensibly, gaming with others online can enrich a child’s experience. It offers a chance to connect with people from around the world, exposing them to new cultures, ideas, and perspectives—all while having fun.

By staying informed and involved, you can help their children enjoy the social benefits of gaming while staying safe.

Set up parental controls
When purchasing a new console, configure the online interaction settings using the device’s Parental Controls or Family Settings.

Keep gaming in shared spaces
Place consoles and computers in family areas so you can easily monitor interactions and gameplay.

Monitor audio communication
If your child uses a headset, have them play with the sound on speakers occasionally so you can hear the conversations.

Enable notifications on your account
Download community apps for consoles like PlayStation or Xbox to receive alerts about direct messages sent to your child’s account.

Create separate child accounts
Set up individual accounts for each child, tailored to their age, to manage their interactions appropriately.

Play together
Join your child in their games using their account to understand who they’re talking to and how they’re interacting.

Use friends-only features
Use the console’s settings to create private lobbies with your child’s real-life friends and mute other players for a safer gaming experience.

Online gaming health

Video games are perceived to be a sedentary hobby. However, many new games and technology actively encourage movement and motion. Whether this is getting the family out for walks with Pokemon Go! or jumping around the sitting room with Just Dance, games can actually be a great way to get the family moving.

Ensuring children take breaks and move around

There have been studies that suggest situations in which someone spends hours sitting in one place can increase the risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). But this can happen with any stationary leisure activity – including watching television, listening to music or reading a book.

When children are playing games just on screens, it is good advice to ensure they take breaks every hour. Not only will this keep them moving but it offers a chance for a change of activity.

Another area for concern is with bright flashing lights that are often a part of video game experiences. The current research shows that video games don’t cause epilepsy but can (like television or pop concerts) trigger a seizure in the extremely small number of people, who already have Photosensitive Epilepsy.

The Consumer Safety Unit of the governmental department, together with the National Epilepsy Society, has carried out an exhaustive study into this area, which found that epilepsy cannot be caused by playing computer games.

Equip children with safer gaming set-up

Review your child’s gaming diet
Encourage your child to explore a variety of games to avoid over-reliance on any single type and broaden their interests.

Promote regular Breaks
Ensure your child takes a break every hour to rest their eyes and prevent overexertion.

Be Aware of Photosensitive Epilepsy
If there’s a family history of Photosensitive Epilepsy, monitor gaming habits closely and be cautious about flashing lights or high-intensity visual effects in games.

Play Active Games Together
Introduce games that involve physical activity and play them as a family to make gaming a more engaging and interactive experience.

Know the Warning Signs
Watch out for symptoms like light-headedness, altered vision, or facial twitching. If these occur, stop gaming immediately and consult a doctor.

The cost of online gaming and impact of gambling

BBC – Parental advice on Gambling in Fortnite, FIFA Rocket League, Overwatch

close Close video

Affordable Ways to Enjoy Online Gaming

Online gaming often seems tied to expensive hardware and high-speed internet, leading some parents to feel pressured to buy the latest technology. However, your child can still enjoy gaming without a hefty price tag.

Devices like tablets and older smartphones are great alternatives, offering access to many popular games. Apps such as Roblox run well on lower-end devices, allowing children to enjoy online gaming without requiring cutting-edge equipment.

Understanding In-Game and In-App Costs

Beyond the cost of hardware, you should be aware of potential expenses after downloading or purchasing a game. Many games are free to download but make money through in-game purchases—this model is known as “freemium.”

In freemium games like Fortnite, players can buy extras such as new outfits or dance moves. These purchases may seem small but can add up quickly, so it’s important to guide children on spending responsibly.

By exploring affordable gaming options and being mindful of additional costs, you can create a fun and budget-friendly gaming experience for your child.

BBC Own it – Children explain what ‘loot boxes’ are to parents

close Close video

In some instances, these transactions (sometimes called Loot Boxes) offer a chance to win an in-game item of varying value to the player. This can appear similar to gambling as there is luck involved as to which item the player will get. Also, some games like Rocket League have historically presented these items in a “fruit machine” style, spin to win.

From a Gambling Commission perspective, this is not actually gambling because there is no monetary value of the items won outside the game. If it was considered gambling it could not be marketed to children.

This means that some countries, such as Belgium have outlawed the use of “loot boxes” in games because they are seen as gambling aimed at children. There is no consensus more widely available, though. In the UK and US, games are now labeled as having In-App purchases as part of the rating system.

An important distinction, that many articles conflate, is between online gaming and online video games. Online gaming usually refers to gambling websites where players can partake in traditional gambling games of cards, dice and slot machines. Online video games are the topic of this section, playing on consoles and PC to offer players a challenge of skill in a virtual world.

Children, who want more in-game currency to purchase loot boxes, are sometimes targeted but unofficial third-party apps offering this in exchange for information. It’s important that parents understand this, educate children, and ensure appropriate passwords are set on credit card details.

Risk of malware on free-to-download games

To avoid un-intentionally downloading apps or free games that may be bundled with malware or spyware it’s important to:

  • Check and research apps and games that children plan to download
  • Stick to legitimate websites when downloading any game
  • Explain risks of downloading ‘free’ games and what to do if something goes wrong
  • Set online boundaries and agree which websites and apps are best for them to use
  1. Review ongoing costs
    Before allowing your child to download or purchase a game, check for any ongoing costs, such as in-game purchases or subscription fees, to avoid unexpected expenses.
  2. Enable parental controls
    Set up parental controls to restrict access to credit cards linked to gaming accounts, ensuring purchases can’t be made without your approval.
  3. Monitor purchases with email alerts
    Link your device or console to an email account you regularly check, so you’re notified immediately of any purchases.
  4. Use gift cards for purchases
    Avoid linking a credit card to the account. Instead, use gift cards with a set amount of credit, giving your child a budget while maintaining control over spending.

By taking these steps, you can help your child enjoy gaming without worrying about surprise costs.

How online gaming affects children’s behaviour

An example of cyberbullying or griefing in online gaming

close Close video

Understanding the Impact of Video Games on Behaviour

The interactive nature of video games can make parents worry about their child’s behaviour, especially when younger players are exposed to more violent games not intended for their age group.

No Direct Link Between Video Games and Violent Behaviour

Despite concerns, research has not found a direct link between playing violent video games and violent behaviour in real life. Contrary to media reports following violent incidents involving teenagers, studies, such as those by Markey and Ferguson in Moral Combat, show that while video game sales have surged, violent crime rates have not risen in tandem. In fact, they suggest that gaming might actually help keep teenagers engaged and out of trouble.

The Importance of Parental Awareness

While there is no clear link between violent games and violent behaviour, it’s still important for parents to understand the content of the games their children are playing. Many parents may not be aware of the graphic content their child could encounter. That’s why it’s essential to use the PEGI (Pan European Game Information) ratings, which provide valuable information about the levels of violence, sex, and language in a game.

By staying informed about the games their children play, parents can make safer choices and ensure a healthy gaming experience.

BBC Own It video aimed at young people explaining how to tackle hate in online gaming

close Close video