Keeping Kids Safe in Online Games: Insights from our friends at Kidas

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, ensuring the safety of our children in online environments has never been more critical. Recent studies performed by Kidas, an advanced voice and text analysis software that protects gamers from scams, cyberbullying, and predators, revealed that kids are at a higher risk for online crime than ever before. 

So how can parents protect their kids when the internet has become an integral part of their children’s daily life? Let's dive into the data. 

Types of Alerts

Online threads can come in many forms, ranging from privacy violations to self-harm. Here’s a breakdown thanks to the experts at Kidas:

• 28% Privacy Violations: Tricking children into sharing personal information such as home addresses, phone numbers, account credentials, and credit card numbers.
• 16% Sexual Content: Inappropriate sexual content or conversations that can be harmful to children.
• 16% Predation: Attempts by adults to engage in inappropriate or dangerous interactions with children.
• 15% Flaming: Hostile online interactions where players insult each other.
• 8% Cyberbullying: Repeated aggressive behavior intended to harm another player.
• 5% Hate Speech: Use of derogatory language targeting specific groups or individuals.
• 4% Self-Harm: Discussions or threats of self-harm.

Privacy Violations

Privacy violations are the most frequent type of threat detected through online gaming communication, both voice and text. The prevalence of privacy violations in online games indicates that kids often share their real names, addresses, phone numbers, or school details without understanding the risks. These threats highlight the general lack of understanding among children about the potential consequences of sharing personal information online. 

Additionally, there is concern that children may be developing a false sense of security and trust in online friends, leading to the disclosure of private information. The implications of privacy violations include an increased risk of identity theft and personal information being used maliciously. Strangers can use this information to make unwanted or dangerous contact, including stalking and harassment both on and offline. 

So as parents, what are our options?

Tips to Mitigate Privacy Violations:

• Teach your children the importance of keeping personal information private.
• Use privacy settings on platforms like Discord and Roblox to control who can see and share information.
• Regularly review your child’s online interactions and educate them on the potential dangers.

Sexual Content and Predators

Sexual content and predator alerts reveal troubling attempts by adults to engage in inappropriate interactions with children. This includes exposure to explicit content through chats, images, or links shared on gaming platforms. Children might also be unknowingly or unwillingly drawn into sexual conversations. Exposure to sexual content can lead to confusion, anxiety, and other psychological effects. Similarly, predation poses a direct and immediate threat to a child’s safety, potentially resulting in long-term psychological issues such as PTSD and trust issues.

Tips to Mitigate Exposure to Sexual Content and Contact with Predators:

• Open a dialogue with your children about the dangers of online interactions. While it may be frightening for your child to hear about the risks, it is essential for them to understand the dangers.
• Use parental control tools to monitor and restrict access to certain features or content.
• Encourage your children to report any uncomfortable interactions immediately.

Flaming, Cyberbullying, and Hate Speech

Flaming, cyberbullying, and hate speech alerts indicate that children are either engaging in or becoming victims of hostile and aggressive online interactions, such as exclusion, spreading rumors, and public humiliation. The environments they play in or communities they interact with often foster intolerance and discrimination. These forms of online aggression can significantly affect a child's mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, and other issues.

Tips to Mitigate Flaming, Cyberbullying, and Hate Speech Risks:

• Encourage positive online behavior and teach your children to stand up against bullying.
• Monitor your child's online interactions and be aware of any signs of distress or behavioral changes.
• Report and block offenders to prevent further harassment.

Self-Harm

Alerts related to self-harm are particularly alarming and require immediate attention. This dynamic is complex, as it involves both open joking about self-harm and serious discussions of it. Additionally, it includes the encouragement and suggestion of self-harm, often discussed both about oneself and directed towards other gamers.

Tips to Mitigate Self-Harm Risks:

• Foster a supportive and open environment where your child feels comfortable discussing their feelings.
• Seek professional help if you notice signs of depression or self-harm in your child.
• Monitor online interactions for any signs of distress and intervene when necessary.

Next Steps for Parents

The data from Kidas’s ProtectMe threat alerts paint a complex and concerning picture of children's online activities and interactions. The overwhelming presence and persistence of hostile interactions online underscores that no matter how many restrictions we put in place, the risk of online threats can never be completely eliminated. So what can parents do?

According to the experts, the #1 piece of advice for families navigating the digital age is to continue to maintain open and honest communication with your children about online safety. The more often you touch on these subjects, the more comfortable your child will feel coming to you when one of these dangerous situations arises. 

Looking for more advice on how to navigate these conversations? Check out Experts’ #1 piece of advice for parents in the digital era.