Xbox and Minecraft Empower Families to Stay Safe This Safer Internet Day with “Top 5 Tips for Safe Gaming”
In celebration of Safer Internet Day on February 11, Minecraft is sharing its “Top 5 Tips for Safe Gaming,” aimed at helping families across Australia and New Zealand navigate online spaces with confidence.
Recent research from the Office of the eSafety Commissioner in Australia reveals that 89% of individuals aged 8-17 have engaged in playing games online. Among these young gamers, 40% have interacted with people they did not know offline. Furthermore, 40% of children aged 8-12 and 44% of teens aged 13-17 reported negative experiences while gaming, including instances of bullying and hate speech. Additionally, over half (51%) of teen gamers encountered potentially harmful content.
Similarly, in New Zealand, Netsafe found that 80% of children aged 8-17 engage in online gaming, but half of teenagers reported conflicts with friends due to time spent online.
These statistics emphasize the ongoing need for effective safety measures and parental guidance in the ever-evolving digital landscape. As digital platforms increasingly influence both entertainment and education, this year’s Safer Internet Day theme, “Together for a Better Internet,” serves as a reminder of the importance of collaboration in creating a safer online environment.
To equip young gamers and their parents with the tools needed for a safer online experience, Minecraft has developed its “Top 5 Tips for Safe Gaming.” These tips are designed to empower parents and ensure a safe gaming environment for their children:
- Understand Online Interactions:
- Teach children not to share personal information like their real name or address.
- Familiarize them with Minecraft’s reporting tools for inappropriate behaviour.
- Encourage open communication about any uncomfortable interactions.
- Adjust chat settings to control who can contact your child.
- This guide can help you and your child understand how to use Minecraft’s reporting tools
- Set Up A Child Account:
- Use the Xbox Family Settings App to create child accounts with age restrictions.
- Customize content settings to block unsuitable games and apps.
- Enable weekly activity reports to monitor gaming habits.
- Activate the “Ask to Buy” feature for in-game purchase approvals.
- Check out this page on setting up a child account
- Recognise In-Game Purchases:
- Explain the difference between virtual currency and real money.
- Set spending limits on your child’s account.
- Review purchase requests together to align with family rules.
- See here to understand how to set up approval needed for purchases
- Balance Screen Time:
- Create a schedule that includes designated times for gaming, homework, and outdoor activities.
- Use tools within the Xbox Family Settings app to set playtime limits.
- Promote regular breaks during gaming sessions.
- Model balanced screen habits by engaging in non-screen activities as a family.
- Check out this guide on setting screen time limits in the Xbox Family Settings App
- Build a Safe Online World:
- Help your child set up private servers to play with friends they know in real life.
- Teach them how to use moderation tools to manage player interactions.
- Organize supervised group activities within the game.
- Stay informed about the latest updates and safety features in Minecraft.
- See here for how to set up a private server
Minecraft’s “Top 5 Tips for Safe Gaming” are summarised in this embeddable, printable graphic below:
“As a leader in the gaming industry, Xbox is committed to fostering a safe and positive environment for players of all ages,” said Eve Oorloff, Games Category Lead, Xbox. “By leveraging the educational potential of Minecraft, we aim to provide families with practical guidance to enhance their gaming experiences while prioritising safety.”
Xbox’s Trust and Safety team is dedicated to ensuring peace of mind for players and families while gaming and adopt a comprehensive approach to safety, privacy, and community health, empowering parents, children, and caregivers with the necessary tools and education for safer gaming experiences.
If you’re looking for more resources and tips for family gaming, visit xbox.com/family. You can learn more about what Xbox offers for families, including information about privacy and access to privacy tools, the Xbox Family Settings app and Community Standards.
About the Author
Adrian Gunning Adrian lives in Melbourne Australia and has a huge passion for gaming, technology and pop culture. He recently finished his a Bachelor of Journalism and is currently focusing on games journalism. When not writing and playing video games, Adrian can be found in Comics 'R' Us debating the pros of the DC Universe and cons of the Marvel Universe.
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