Online gaming is one of many ways to pass the time and can be relatively amusing therefore children engage with online gaming as well; however, many risks come with immersing yourself in online platforms.
Particularly, children are vulnerable to cyberbullying and online harassment through online gaming whether it be from an adult or another child.
Data from the 10 to 15-year-old Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) show that around one in five children aged 10 to 15 years in England and Wales (19%) experienced at least one type of online bullying behaviour in the year ending March 2020, which is equivalent to 764,000 children.
These statistics not only depict the appalling number of children who are victims of cyberbullying but also signpost the importance of prevention of cyberbullying through Online gaming.
Many people have taken advantage of the concept of online gaming therefore there are many fake websites or game downloads that children are susceptible to clicking which in turn can infect the child’s computer with malware.
Children are often targeted through online games where they can take part in chatting, which cybercriminals exploit to extract personal details from the unknowing child such as addresses, phone numbers, or even parents’ credit card details.
While gaming online, children constantly encounter strangers, and some strangers can have malicious intentions.
Therefore, online gaming can have potential offline dangers.
Many games contain in-game purchases, which can give players access to the latest features and accessories.
What initially seems like a small transaction can slowly build up.
When children make these purchases, they might not even acknowledge that they are spending real money, which can have many knock-on effects.