Staying safe while playing games online.

Games are rated 3, 7, 12, 16 and 18 so you can easily see which ones are suited for your child’s age. You can also look at the game’s content descriptors. These tell you more about the kind of things that you will see in a video game, such as violence and fear (horror).

Many young people say that playing and chatting with other people is an important part of their gaming experience. To stay safe, keep chat focussed on the gameplay, they should avoid sharing personal information and keep in mind that not everyone online is who they say they are. Remember that young people can choose to stop talking to another player if they are making them feel uncomfortable in any way.

There is no strong evidence to suggest that playing video games is bad for young people’s health. In fact, some games can provide great experiences because of their exciting storylines or through puzzles that engage the brain. They can also be a good way to take a break from schoolwork or things that are causing stress.

However, it is important to think about how playing video games makes young people feel – if playing a game is causing them to worry, feel frustrated or stressed, then it might be time to take a break. It’s also important to balance the time spent gaming with more physical activities away from the console.