Playing computer games has become a popular pastime for adults and children with game design improving constantly to become more realistic and enjoyable however, it is important that parents and carers are aware of the pitfalls that gaming can have and that they make sure the children in their care are protected from online abuse and any other detrimental effects that gaming can have.

Checking the age rating of any games that your children are playing is a good way to monitor what they are playing. The PEGI rating system is based on six age categories and eight content descriptors. The age categories indicate whether an interactive software product is appropriate for children from a certain age and can be used as a guide by parents who may be unfamiliar with a certain game.

Some online games can let children play with friends and strangers from around the world but playing with people online can also be risky. Most games allow parents to disable certain features such as chat between players if they feel this is not safe. It is important to educate your child about keeping safe online by encouraging them to always choose a safe username instead of their real name and not to reveal any personal details about themselves to other players.