Online Gaming

There are lots of different types of online games. Some are simple games that you can play on your own and others are big multiplayer games with hundreds of people. There are estimated to be over 2.5 billion online gamers worldwide.

Positive Aspects of Gaming

  • Communication. Online gaming allows you to play games and chat to people all across the world. This can help to improve confidence!
  • Positive Wellbeing. Playing games can allow you to take a break from work or help 'de-stress'
  • Development. Some games develop skills and cognitive functions such as co-ordination, brain speed and problem solving.
  • Social. In a controlled environment gaming can be a very good platform to talk to people and make new friends!

Things to watch out for...

  • Personal Information. It is very easy to give out personal information to people you don't know.
  • Cyberbulling. This can happen over voice chat or via messages in-game. It is very common in games where large amount of players are in a competitive environment. If this happens to you, TELL SOMEBODY!
  • Age Limits. Much like Social Media apps, games have age limits for a reason. This can be due to the nature of the content in them (Violence etc.) ARE YOU OLD ENOUGH?
  • Time Limits. It is easy to spend too long playing games - DON't LET IT CONSUME YOU!

Streaming

A large part of gaming in modern society is to stream playing games. On average the most popular streaming services (Such as Twitch) have over 3 million people streaming per month.

  • Much like social media, part of the appeal for young people is to gain as many 'viewers' as they can.
  • A lot of young people believe they can make a career out of online streaming as they see success that streamers can have. This is unrealistic, VERY FEW PEOPLE ARE SUCCESSFUL!

Age Ratings...

In the UK, the PEGI 12, 16 and 18 ratings are legally enforceable. They have these for a reason, please think about this when purchasing/playing games!