| Many children are now engaging in online gaming | | | | acceptable. You may prefer to stick to games like |
| through gaming communities on the internet. While | | | | this. |
| this was once deemed a generally "safe" practice, | | | | When your child participates in an online gaming |
| many parents have discovered that there are | | | | community, it is important that they do so only |
| many dangerous individuals looking to steal | | | | under your supervision. You may want to make |
| information from your computer systems and | | | | sure that you know who the people are that |
| find out information about children and their | | | | frequent the online gaming communities, what |
| families through these gaming communities. | | | | type of programs are offered there - like chat |
| Here, you will learn important steps on protecting | | | | and forum discussions - and more. This will give |
| your children in online gaming communities. You | | | | you a good idea on the limitations that you should |
| can learn how to keep the kids safe, as well as | | | | set with your child. |
| how to ensure data security on your computer | | | | It is important that you have some guidelines laid |
| system by implementing the steps that are listed | | | | out for your child if they participate in online |
| in this tutorial. | | | | gaming communities. You may elect to restrict |
| If you want to protect your data and your | | | | the amount of time in which the child participates, |
| children, the very first thing that you should do is | | | | their level of participation, and many other factors. |
| to ensure that you coach your children on the | | | | The child should be old enough to understand and |
| safety measures that should be taken while | | | | adhere to these guidelines. If they are not, then |
| participating in online gaming. For example, children | | | | they should not be participating in online gaming |
| should never reveal their names on the internet, | | | | communities at all. |
| their location, or names of schools and other | | | | It is important that you keep the level of |
| community organizations. | | | | communication open between you and your child |
| It is also important to ensure that your children | | | | when it comes to the gaming community that |
| understand what viruses and spyware is. They | | | | they are participating in. For example, if someone |
| should know not to download anything from the | | | | is using vulgar or obscene language, you should be |
| internet without your approval. This includes | | | | told. If someone is requesting personal information |
| attachments that may come through email and | | | | from your child, they should be comfortable in |
| instant messaging programs. These types of | | | | informing you of this violation of privacy. |
| downloads may contain viruses, keylogger | | | | If the online gaming community has voice chat |
| programs, and more. | | | | options and features, you should be cautious of |
| If your children will be participating in game play on | | | | allowing your child to communicate in this manner. |
| online gaming communities, it is absolutely essential | | | | If you do permit your child to engage in voice |
| that you ensure that a good antivirus program | | | | chat, it is important to ensure that voice masking |
| and spyware program, like Windows Defender, is | | | | technology is used to ensure that the child is not |
| being run on the operating system. This way, if | | | | targeted because of their age. You will also want |
| the child accidentally downloads a program that is | | | | to ensure that you monitor these activities as |
| malicious, your data will be immediately protected | | | | closely as possible. |
| and the threat can be identified and eliminated. | | | | Remember, as a parent, it is your responsibility to |
| You should, as the parent, educate yourself on | | | | keep your child safe while they are online. By |
| game ratings and each game that your child is | | | | taking the preventive measures mentioned in this |
| interested in taking part in. You must carefully | | | | tutorial, you are doing just that. If you follow |
| read the terms that are associated with the | | | | these guidelines, you are also taking the steps |
| website to determine if the code of conduct is | | | | necessary to ensure data security on your |
| appropriate for your child. In World of Warcraft, | | | | computer system. |
| for example, cyberbullying and profanity is not | | | | |