Gaming Safely Over the Holidays

With video games guaranteed to be a hit with Canadian families this year,
here are some tips to ensure a fun and safe gaming experience:

What is the rating and is it appropriate?

Check the ESRB rating on the game box or in the digital store. It’s a quick guide to ensure the content matches your child’s age and maturity level.

The ESRB rating system has three parts:

1) Rating Categories suggest age appropriateness (such as “T” for youth ages 13 and up).

2) Content Descriptors indicate content that may have prompted a particular rating (such as violence, alcohol references or crude humor).

3) Interactive Elements highlight a game’s interactive or online features (such as users’ ability to communicate with other users or to make in-game purchases).

Are Parental Controls set up?

Virtually all video game devices allow you to manage screen time, restrict purchases, and filter online interactions. Take a few minutes to customize these settings based on your family’s rules.

With these control tools, parents can:

  • select which games your children are allowed to play (based on the ESRB age ratings)
  • control and monitor the use of digital purchases
  • limit access to internet browsing by applying a filter
  • control the amount of time that children can spend playing games
  • control the level of online interaction (chat) and exchange of data (text messages, user-generated content)

Gaming online safely?

If your child is gaming online, teach them about safe interactions. Ensure they know not to share personal info and encourage open communication about their online experiences.

The ESRB offers a Family Gaming Guide to help parents establish household rules for the whole family.

Keep Play Time Balanced

Well-managed video game play brings huge benefits so it’s important to set limits. Use Parental controls to schedule playtime as well as having conversations with your family about boundaries that work for you.

Explore the industry’s trust and safety solutions:

Tools for Parents

Empowering parents and caregivers with information and tools to help them manage gameplay.

Tools for Players

Empowering players to take control of their gameplay experience.

Leading Technologies

Harnessing innovative technologies to maintain safe gaming spaces for players.

Skilled Human Oversight

Investing in safety with trained moderators.

Clear Codes of Conduct

Setting guidelines for acceptable behaviour through codes of conduct.

Promoting Positive Play

Using innovative systems and tools to promote positive play in communities.

Partnerships and Collaboration

Working together to better protect Canadian players.

Parental Controls