The world of online gaming is massive, $187.7 billion massive, in fact, and growing, and for millions of kids, it’s where they socialise, learn, and relax espeically now that social media is becoming less of an option in Australia anyway.
While games like Roblox, Minecraft, and Fortnite offer incredible creativity and connection, for parents, the digital landscape can feel like a tricky, un-pausable level filled with strangers, in-game spending, and late-night sessions.
You don’t have to become a pro-gamer to keep your children safe. You just need a practical strategy that focuses on education and engagement over constant surveillance. Safety isn’t a one-and-done conversation about social media; it starts with an open dialogue right in your own home, covering everything from online games to new apps.
Here is the straightforward playbook for making online gaming a positive and secure experience for the whole family.
Set the Privacy and Security Baseline
Before your child jumps into their next virtual world (and over 80% of students aged 11–14 are daily online social media users, with gaming being equally popular) take ten minutes to set up the basics. These simple steps can drastically reduce exposure to unwanted contact and content:
- Choose a Safe Username: This is your child’s digital alias. Emphasise that they should never use their real name, age, school, or any personal details that could identify them in real life. Keep it fun, fictional, and unidentifiable.
- Location, Location, GONE: While major platforms like Roblox are smart enough to avoid location sharing, some smaller games and apps may not be. Make it a family rule: turn off location sharing in all apps unless explicitly needed and agreed upon.
- Know Your Tools: Teach your kids how to block and report inappropriate behaviour. Every major gaming platform, including the hugely popular Roblox, has clear reporting mechanisms. Practising this skill empowers them to take control if things get uncomfortable. Even if it feel trivial or just a bit off, report it, it is super important you help the platform to police its users.
Get in the Game (Seriously, Play With Them)
Do you really know what a “noob,” “griefing,” or a “skin” is? Playing alongside your child is the best way to bridge the knowledge gap. It’s not just about monitoring; it’s about sharing an interest.
Platforms like Roblox, where nearly 70 million users globally log in daily, even offer dedicated online Safety Centres to help parents understand the platform’s tools and a learning hub filled with educational experiences.
When you join them, keep the conversation light and positive, not an interrogation. Try asking open-ended questions:
- “What do you love most about this game?”
- “How did you discover it? Did a friend recommend it?”
- “What’s the most important tip you can give me so I don’t embarrass myself?”
Showing genuine interest creates a safe space, making them far more likely to come to you when they encounter one of the common online challenges, like bullying or unwanted contact with strangers.
Talk Through the Tough Stuff
Online gaming can be a fantastic way to relieve stress and connect with friends, but it can also present challenges like bullying, stress, or the temptation of in-game purchases. Over 30% of children regret making in-game purchases, and 41% of parents are concerned about exposure to gambling-style mechanisms like loot boxes.
Don’t wait for a crisis. Use small, everyday moments to discuss digital resilience and coping strategies:
- Take a Break: If a game is causing anger or stress (sometimes called “gamer rage”) work through solutions together. This could be a quick Box Breathing exercise, a two-minute walk, or simply switching to a different, less intense game.
- The Power of the Block Button: Reinforce that asking for help is always okay, and that they should immediately approach a trusted adult if they feel unsafe or are pressured to share personal information.
Master the Parental Controls
You don’t need to hover over your child’s shoulder 24/7. Modern platforms offer robust parental controls designed to help you manage their experience remotely, giving you peace of mind.
To make things easier for parents, Roblox now uses Facial Age Estimation to check a user’s age before enabling chat features. This means children are grouped into age-appropriate cohorts designed so kids interact with peers of a similar age – giving parents and carers extra peace of mind.
Dr. Elizabeth’s Milovidov is the Global Head of Parental Advocacy. In this role, she focuses on building partnerships and programs to help equip parents with the tools to help their families navigate Roblox and the digital world.
She shared Her Top Tips for Parents on Safer Online Gaming these school holidays
- Set safety basics – Start with privacy settings, safe usernames, understanding reporting tools.
- Play together – Join your child’s games and open up conversations about safety.
- Talk it out – Use gaming moments to teach resilience and coping skills.
- Use parental controls – Set limits on screen time, content maturity, spending, and interactions.
The ideal time to set these controls is before your child starts gaming, but it is never too late to adjust them. I recently discovered that my daughters “kid camera” had games on it, but the forward thinking people at Vtech had put a parental control to limit the time you use the device for. So I spoke to my daughter, we set a time limit and we now have an understanding.
We’ve used Roblox as an example Here as it’s one of the most popular gaming platforms among children and teens, offering thousands of user-created games. They have an online Safety Centre to help parents and carers understand what Roblox is, guides on how to use parental controls, and answers to common questions. And while many of the games are purely for fun, there are also lots which offer educational benefits that help kids develop new skills and explore their creativity. Roblox has a popular learning hub which has been visited over 40 million times, and will help you easily find great educational experiences.
Remember, as kids grow and become more savvy, these boundaries should evolve, too. Staying engaged and having open, non-judgmental conversations is the ultimate ‘parental control’ to ensure a healthy digital life.
