Parents warned of the hidden gambling dangers in on-line gaming

Parents are being warned to watch out for hidden gambling dangers in their children’s video games.

As online gaming becomes an increasingly popular pastime among children, parents should be aware of the potential risks and dangers their children may be facing. Recent data showed 83% of children engage in gaming and while it can be fun and educational there are hidden dangers including gambling, cyber-bullying, inappropriate content as well as excessive screen time.

Emre Aksu, a Game Critic from 1337 Games, has provided expert advice on how to keep children safe while enjoying their favourite games: “With the rise of online gaming, it’s more important than ever for parents to be proactive in safeguarding their children.

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“These tips offer practical steps parents can take to ensure a safer gaming environment. From understanding content ratings to enabling parental controls, small actions can significantly reduce the risks associated with online gaming.

“The goal is to empower parents with the knowledge and tools they need to protect their children, allowing them to enjoy the benefits of gaming without compromising their safety.”

His first tip is that parents should understand gambling-related risks associated with in-game purchases and luck-based gaming mechanics.

He said: “Educate your child about the potential dangers of loot boxes and other similar features that could lead to addictive behaviour and make this an important area for parental supervision.”

He also says understanding game content ratings is essential as they provide age-appropriate guidelines which ensure children are not exposed to violent or inappropriate content.

Parents should also review their children’s voice chat settings to ensure it is turned off or limited to friends only.

Aksu said: “This is especially important as some online games offer unrestricted voice chat with the general public, which could expose children to strangers.

“Many games offer safer communication options, such as simple ‘ping’ functions or restricted chat boxes, enabling players to interact without direct conversation. These features provide a great compromise, allowing your child to enjoy the game while maintaining a safe environment.”

He also warns that parents should be aware of in-game microtransactions which globally has been valued at £51.2 billion.

And among the most important advice is to stay alert to cyber-bullying threats.

According to a 2022 study by Ofcom, 52% of parents whose children game online were concerned about their child being bullied during gameplay.

Aksu said: “Teaching your child the importance of respectful behaviour and the dangers of sharing personal information online can help them navigate the online world safely.”

And he said it is important to monitor children’s screen time to avoid the risks of excessive gaming such as dopamine - the feel-good hormone - addiction.

“Setting strict limits on gaming time and encouraging regular breaks can help prevent addiction by disrupting the continuous cycle of instant gratification that video games provide.”

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends limiting children’s screen time to a maximum of two hours per day to promote better health.

There is also a danger of eye strain so parents are encouraged to implement eye safety and adopt the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, have your child look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.