Online gaming Understand the benefits and risks of online gaming

Boy playing on laptop with headset

Understanding how your child plays and enjoys games online can help you develop rules and strategies to keep them safe.

Because there are so many different types of games, and so many ways to play, we know this can sometimes be overwhelming for lots of parents and carers.


To help you get to grips with the basics, we’ve a created a webinar to help educate parents and carers about online gaming.

From setting up parental controls to activities to help you get to know what your child does online, this session will give you insight into how young people use gaming apps. There are also resources that you can use to help keep them safe.

Watch our video now

I think that parents and carers should know that with their children gaming online, although there are risks, it can also be really helpful for them to do as it gives them time away from work and it’s also a good stress reliever.  

I think people enjoy gaming due to the fact that it’s a good way to distract yourself from everything else going on in your life, it’s also a good way to spend time with your friends and even family. You get to enjoy playing your favourite game whilst not thinking about anything else going on with your life and play with friends. 

Becky, aged 15 - A member of NSPCC's Young People's Board for Change

Need more advice?

Parents and carers should have all the information they need to help keep kids safe online, but sometimes this can be hard to find. That's why we've collected everything you need to know in our online safety hub.

The information is organised by topic to make everything easy to find. We have pages for social media, online gaming and parental controls that explain the risks, and the steps you can take, to help keep your kids safe online. 

We also cover what parents need to know about topics such as sharing nudes, livestreaming, harmful content and reporting online safety issues

Worried about a child?

Contact our Helpline by calling 0808 800 5000 or emailing [email protected].

Children can contact Childline any time to get support themselves.

Get support