VIDEO GAMES SAFE FOR KIDS? #AAH
I have said it earlier and I am saying it again that playing online games is not bad in itself. In fact it teaches team play, strategic thinking, quick decision making and leadership.
However discernment in how much time child is pending playing these games and what kind of information they are sharing with strangers/ other players is what decides if it’s a healthy habit or addiction/ unsafe. Its like a piece of cake once in a while when you have a healthy lifestyle, you are walking, running playing sports is fine but if you have a full size cake every single day you will have diabetes!
First- money and online games. Recently there was an incident where a scammer under false identity connected to a child via an online game and promised to upgrade his game level, also give him more armor/ weapons (lots of games where you need them to defeat your enemy), give them new skin/ clothes.
These scammers monitor how much time the child is spending on the game so that they know how likely he/she is to fall into the trap. Once the child is convinced, they tell the kid that we are sending a link which they need to click may be to agree to terms and you will receive the upgrade.
Child is curious and they immediately click on the link. We all know things that can happen with that single click! Your system can be compromised, all information can be hacked, data on that machine can be stolen. In this particular incident that child’s family pictures and some sensitive data was stolen. Then he was threatened that his parents morphed nude pictures would be circulated online, sensitive information will be disclosed, they will be shamed. Child got scared and even transferred some money via the transactions as strictly monitored by these criminals! Yes, its pretty much possible once they had control of the system.
VIDEOAdditionally, this could also be life threatening. Child predators/ groomers are lurking online to prey on children, their ID could show they are 14 years but they could be pedophiles who could slowly lure the child into meeting them alone at some point with the sole intention of assaulting them. They could also talk the child into sharing information about home, family members, where the valuables are kept for burglary.
Teach these safety measures to your child- all habits in moderation especially consuming online content or playing games. Not to share information with strangers online and even lie when necessary, like oh my mom is always around, I have too many people at home always, I am never alone!
Build a relationship of trust with children. Curious, intelligent children make mistakes. Give them the confidence that they can talk to you. Spend inclusive online time with them to know their interests, friends, games. Do combined activities outdoors. You got this!
Stay Aware, Stay Safe.
Jai Hind, Jai Bharat!
CONTACT US:
Website: www.AkanchaSrivastava.Org
Email: TeamAkancha@gmail.com
Twitter: @AkanchaS
Instagram: @akanchas
https://www.instagram.com/akanchas/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/akanchasrivastava1
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/akanchasrivastava/
ABOUT ‘AKANCHA SRIVASTAVA FOUNDATION’
‘Akancha Srivastava Foundation’ leads India’s largest social impact initiative for cyber safety. It was founded in February 2017. It’s a not-for-profit Section 8 organization.
Honorary Board of Advisors
Foundation’s advisory board hosts – Former Special DGP RK Vij (Chattisgarh), ADG Navniet Sekera (Uttar Pradesh), ADG Krishna Prakash (Maharashtra), Dr Poonam Verma (Principal- SSCBS, Delhi University)
Mission of the Foundation
The initiative aims at Education, Empowerment & Bridging of general population with the authorities on matters of cyber safety. Foundation also conducts forensics training for law enforcement.