Does your child play video games online? Be aware that playing online carries the same risks as browsing the internet. Yet many players do not realise this, particularly the youngest, who therefore need to be informed by their parents where necessary.
Check that the Wi-Fi is secure
If a user decides to play away from home, they must make sure the Wi-Fi connection is secure. Otherwise, they should refrain. Cybercriminals target public Wi-Fi networks, where it is very easy to follow every move a user makes online and to gain access to all of their data.
Install updates
Players should always download all of them to ensure optimal online protection.
Do not download games illegally
Pirated games very often contain malicious software designed to steal personal information, or even to take control of the device being used, whether it is a mobile, a PC or a console.
Do not buy bonuses on an unofficial site
Many games offer items that help players complete missions more quickly, or extra lives for their character. Such purchases should only be made on trusted sites that show a green padlock on the left of the browser bar and whose address begins with “https“, which means secure http. And if an offer seems too good to be true, that is precisely because it is a scam!
Stay wary in chats
You never know who is hiding behind a screen. It is therefore advisable to be discreet about your personal information and that of your loved ones: your name, of course, but also your address and age. Such details can indeed be used to gather personal information, or even to take control of the device being used. In addition, players must never click on a link in a conversation, especially one that seems to redirect to the Facebook page of another player claiming to have a friend in common. It could download malicious software!
Let’s adopt good practices. To play safely!
S.T.
Serge Tisseron is a psychiatrist, doctor of psychology accredited to supervise research, member of the Académie des technologies, and associate researcher at Université Paris VII Denis Diderot (CRPMS).
