By Emmanuel Tzingakis, Technical Lead, African Cluster at Trend Micro

As the digital world transforms how we have fun, young people across South Africa are diving headfirst into the gaming scene. With more and more children getting their hands on smartphones, the country is buzzing with new virtual adventures. But while this growth is super exciting, there's one important thing we need to keep in mind: making sure our kids stay safe while they game.

Local enthusiasm for gaming is mirrored across the continent, making Africa one of the fastest-growing gaming markets in the world. In fact, the gaming industry in Sub-Saharan Africa is projected to reach $1 billion in revenue by 2024.

While this surge in activity brings opportunities for learning and development, it's essential to tread carefully, especially when it comes to children's online safety. With over 95% of kids in South Africa regularly accessing the internet, according to UNICEF, the potential for them to engage in risky online behavior is significant.

The social element of gaming can increase these risks, with online multiplayer games posing a particular threat. According to a report by the WeProtect Global Alliance, children can encounter grooming situations within just 19 seconds of logging on to gaming platforms. These dangers are not exclusive to gaming but are prevalent, heightening the risk of exploitation, especially with features like virtual gift sharing and public ranking systems, which further expose young players to potential harm.

It's more important than ever to talk about how we can keep kids safe while they’re gaming. Here are six helpful tips for parents and guardians to consider.

Vet what they can play

Make sure the content is suitable for their age and has some educational value. You can involve your child by discussing what they think the game's goal is and how they plan to achieve it. Sites like ESRB.org can also assist with game descriptions and ratings. 

Safeguard who they are engaging with online

Try playing the game your child has picked with them a couple of times to get a sense of how the social interactions work. If you’re not comfortable with them engaging with others online or think they’re too young, you might want to limit some of the social features. Many games offer family or privacy settings that let you control interactions, including chat functions. Check if the chat is pre-scripted or free form too. Encourage your kids to tell you if they encounter anything unsettling from other players and report those users whenever possible.

Keep things private and secure

Review and enable privacy settings wherever you can. When you sign up for a game, use multi-factor authentication for extra protection against anyone trying to access your account. Some gaming apps may ask to use your device’s camera, microphone, location, and contact lists. Think about whether you really need these features and say no if you don’t.

Teach your children what personal identifiable information is and ensure they understand never to share their real names, location, school, or any other personal details online, even with friends. Emphasize the importance of not sharing photos of themselves, family or pets, which can be used to geo locate and or identify their location. When creating in-game avatars or accounts, encourage them to use an alias that doesn't reference any personal information.

Beware of cybercriminals

Let your kids know that once they step into the gaming world, they might encounter cybercriminals. Some of these criminals create fake apps that look real but are designed to steal personal information. It's always a good idea to research and stick to well-known, reputable games that lots of people use.

Understand the costs

Some games might be free to download but then ask for money to keep playing or to get better tools. It’s a good idea to block in-app purchases or set up a password to avoid unexpected costs. Also important to note is that free game versions often come with lots of ads, which can tempt your child to click away to other parts of the internet. To avoid this, you might prefer paid versions of the games.

Define time limits

Make sure your kids know they have a set amount of time to play. Think about whether they can stop playing on their own when the time is up. If not, you might want to choose games with natural stopping points. This way, they won’t get lost in the game for hours on end.

Although there are risks in the online gaming world for kids, you don’t have to pull the plug on all their fun. By considering the points mentioned earlier, you can help make sure their gaming stays safe, balanced, and fun.