Control
It is important for parents and guardians to understand the ratings of computer games to assess whether or not is age appropriate and suitable for a teenager/young person. The most common ways that video games are rated is through a system known as a, "PEGI rating". PEGI ratings include:
PEGI 3 – suitable for all ages.
PEGI 7 – suitable for young children.
PEGI 12 – suitable for children 12 and over.
PEGI 16 – suitable for children 16 and over.
PEGI 18 – Only suitable for adults.
APPs that can be downloaded on digital smartphones are also rated by age, prior to download:
4+: Contains no objectionable material.
9+: May contain content unsuitable for children under the age of 9.
12+: May contain content unsuitable for children under the age of 12.
17+: May contain content unsuitable for children under the age of 17.
Apps rated 17+ are not allowed to be purchased by children.
Lots of young people enjoy playing games, and there are different games for everyone. However, there are lots of things that might stop the game from being fun. For example:
Being bullied or hurt (otherwise known as Trolling).
Not feeling able to stop.
Competing too much with other people.
Suffering from a lack of concentration.
Losing sleep.
Tips for Parents/Guardians
Parents/Guardians should take an interest in what young people are playing and should provide these safe tips to children to ensure gaming is kept fun in a safe and controlled environment:
If children are playing online, think about who you are playing with. They may be older or younger than your child!
Block, report and mute people who may troll or bully.
Ensure children take short breaks if they are gaming for a long time. Possibly, allocate a specific time when children may play computer games as a treat.
Avoid in-game purchases.
Check the age rating of any games that children want to purchase.
Don’t share personal information with people in games.
Choose a safe username that does not include your full name, date of birth, address or town you live, mobile number and the school that you attend (Glenlola Collegiate School).
Talk to a parent/guardian if there is anything unusual or suspicious about your video game/APP.
Check and apply the strictest privacy settings.
