Keeping Kids Safe Online

We’ve all heard the horror stories, about kids and the internet. It's a hunting ground for pedophiles. There's all sorts of horrible language, explicit material, and god only knows what else, just hiding out there in cyber space waiting to target unsuspecting kids.

So how does the average parent figure out what the popular games are really all about? How do you know if your child really is playing safe?

Well, I might not know much about kids, but I do know computer games. As an adult gamer, I see the world of video games from a unique perspective.

Here's what I’ve encountered while playing some of the more common web-based computer games:

1)    Runescape.

Of all the online games, this is probably one of the safest for kids to be playing. Jagex, the maker of the game, is extremely particular about child safety. They have a massively comprehensive chat filter, in-game moderators, both player mods and Jagex mods, and a "report abuse" function, which allows anyone to report players for bad behaviour. And Jagex has very strict banning policies for rule-breakers. If a player does something like swear at your child, they're either muted (unable to “speak” to others), or kicked out of the game entirely. End of Story.

Plus, there are a fair number of responsible adults, like me, who play. From what I've seen over the past two years, the adult gamers are very quick to intervene if they see a conversation or situation starting to get out of hand.

There's two ways to play Runescape: you can either set up a free account, or pay a monthly fee for a membership, which will run you about $5 Canadian per month.

There are some great benefits to having a membership, but the game is just as much fun on a free account. This means that your child has the option to play for a while, and see if the game is something that they’re interested in or not.

But—there is one downside to this game. It is entirely possible for your child to leave the Runescape website and surf the web at any time. Because it’s a browser based program, the internet address bar is right there at the top of the screen, easily accessible to curious-minded kids.  If you don't have the parental controls set, your child could very easily end up surfing somewhere they shouldn't be.

2)    World of Warcraft

Personally, I love this game. It's one of the top MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games) ever to be created. And there's a reason--it's really an incredible gaming experience.

But, I'm a reasonably mature adult. I have a life outside of my gaming, and I am careful to limit my time spent in front of the screen.

World of Warcraft (aka WOW) is extremely addictive. I know many a girl who has "banned" her boyfriend from playing this game, because it tends to become the central focus in their lives. Players often end up joining “clans”, and taking part in clan wars and/or group questing events. It doesn’t take long for the clan gaming schedule to start interfering with a person’s real life activities.

This game is definitely not meant for younger kids. There is no chat filter that I’m aware of. People can, and do, swear and curse on a regular basis.

I know there is a set of game rules, but I've never seen an in-game moderator around, and I'm not entirely sure how strongly they enforce the "WoW" Laws.

World of Warcraft is, technically, an internet based game, in the sense that all game-play is done online, and you must have an active internet connection to play. But, it differs in the sense that you also need to have the WOW software loaded onto your computer. This makes it a bit more expensive than most games. You have to buy the software, which will probably run you about $50. That's for the full package, expansion packs and all, which I can pretty much guarantee your child will insist on having. And yes, those expansion packs really do enhance their gaming experience, so they’re not lying when they tell you that.

Then, there's a monthly subscription fee. It's about $35 for a 60 day pre-paid subscription card. You can get the software and the pre-paid cards from just about anywhere. I think you can find them at pretty much any store in North America. Even Blockbuster carries them—yes, the movie rental store.

On the bright side, it's hard for kids to navigate away from the game, since it's not browser based. They'd actually have to close the game down, and open the internet browser to get online.

3)    My e-Pets

This is the best by far, especially for kids ages 4 to 10.

You buy a little stuffed animal at your local toy store, such as Wal-Mart or Toys R Us. The teddy cost about $15 Canadian, and comes with an online activation code. There's no monthly fee--you just type in the code, set up the account, and your kid is up and running. There’s a spot on the site for you, the parent, to set the rules, including the form in which your kid talks when in the game.

Once they're on the site, there's no way for them to navigate away. It opens into a “full screen” image, so the navigation bar isn’t visible or accessible.

The entire game is based on teaching kids--everything from basic math and language skills, to responsibility and the value of working to earn money. And, of course, they're learning great computer skills and typing.

Both of my nephews have accounts (they're 10 and 7), and they absolutely love it. And, I’ll admit, I have my very own e-pet! The games are entertaining, and I love all the different things I can buy—everything from new shoes to furniture for my pet’s house!

4)    There.com

This site gets a huge Parents Beware Warning!

I was logged on for less than 20 minutes, and that was more than enough for me. First of all, it is not really a game, but it seems to serve mainly as an online dating service for kids.

You design an avatar (a little online character), and start chatting with whoever happens to be roaming around. The character outfits are, at best, trashy and suggestive.

In the short time I was there, I talked to 3 people. Every one of them started hitting on me. I told them "no thanks, not interested", but that didn't slow them down at all.

2 of the 3 people asked me some seriously inappropriate questions, right off the bat. Things like "How old are you? Where do you live? What do you look like irl [in real life]?" They were fishing, and determined. If I'd been an impressionable or innocent kid, it could have been a bad situation.

There's a whole set of emotes (actions) that you can have your character do. Hug, kiss, snuggle, flirt...see where I'm going with this? If I were a parent, I'd have this site on the 'blocked' list. I was offended, and I'm old enough to know better.

There.com is free, easy to access, easy to sign up for, and, in my opinion, downright dangerous for anyone under the age of 18.

Those are some of the most popular games that your kids can find online. There are others, of course. I’m constantly finding new places to play, some excellent, others not so good.

The biggest thing to remember any time your kid is on the computer, whether they're playing games, checking email, using an instant messenger program, or (god forbid) setting up a MySpace account: make sure you know where they're surfing, and who they're talking to.

If your child is under 16, make sure you have full access to any and all email accounts and/or sites like Myspace. Check those places regularly, really read what’s being said. If they kick up a stink about your “invasion” of their privacy, remind them that it’s your right, as an adult and a parent, to make sure they’re safe.

Set your browsers Parental Controls. It only takes a minute, it's super easy, and it'll make sure they don't accidentally stumble across sites you don't want them seeing.

Talk to your kids, openly and honestly, about online safety, especially if they use sites like MySpace. You don't have to scare them with stories of pedophiles lurking on every site. Just make them aware of the possible dangers. Let them know that some people aren't there to be nice.

Make sure they know that it is not okay for anyone to ask them any personal information (age, location, appearance, phone numbers etc.). And tell them to come and get you immediately if someone does start asking.

Remember: It’s your kid—you have the right to be nosy, and to be involved.