Online gaming can be a great way to have fun, unwind and escape the day to day, but it comes with certain risks.
As an occasional gamer, I’ve established these tips to protect myself and make sure everyone gets to enjoy gaming as much as I do.
Safety first
Having a great gaming experience is about more than just a decent rig and a fast, reliable internet connection (I recommend a minimum of NBN 100 to maximise your gaming, by the way). There are also steps you can take to minimise the risk that comes with engaging with others online and keep gameplay fun.
To start with, think hard about your username – don’t pick one with your real name, birthday or location in it, as it can give strangers with bad intentions too much important information about your identity and where you live. Consider usernames based on something less identifiable.
Then make sure only people you know can see your pictures or recently played feed. Protecting your privacy should be more important than making new friends online. We all know that people can pretend to be anyone they want online, so it’s better to play it safe. Change your privacy settings to the highest possible level to limit your contact with people you don’t know in the real world. This is especially important if you’re having uncomfortable interactions with other players.
You can also use the settings to control conversations you have within the game. If you’re being abused or made to feel uncomfortable, you can use the mute button or block other users from contacting you. If it gets really bad, you can report users who are causing problems to the gaming platforms.
To do this, collect evidence such as screenshots or recordings of the abusive or threatening comments. You should then be able to block and report the player in the app. If you don’t get a satisfactory response from the gaming platform, you can contact eSafety, Australia’s independent regulator for online safety, for support.
Make gaming great again
At its best, online gaming creates a community that everyone can join and enjoy. But keeping that community and safe and welcoming space for all takes effort.
Treating fellow gamers with courtesy and understanding enhances the overall gaming experience for all. In the digital world, where interactions lack face-to-face cues, emphasising respect becomes paramount. Avoid offensive language, discriminatory remarks or unsportsmanlike behaviour that can harm the gaming environment, and acknowledge diverse perspectives and appreciate the global community. Don’t be negative about other genders, sexualities, cultures, nationalities or abilities. By cultivating an atmosphere of respect, you can contribute to a positive and enjoyable online gaming culture for everyone.
While it’s easy enough to uphold your own values online, it can be harder to avoid the pack mentality. If you feel other players are behaving badly, you can choose not to join in or, even better, call them out. Stick up for other players who are being treated unfairly, check if they’re OK and give them these tips so they can protect themselves.
Nixing gaming addictions
As a casual gamer, this has never been an issue for me, but it’s extremely common. Have a look at these signs to see if you might be dealing with gaming addiction:
- Spending increasing amounts of time gaming, neglecting other responsibilities, and losing track of hours.
- Ignoring social, academic or work commitments in favour of gaming, leading to a decline in overall wellbeing.
- Constantly thinking about gaming even when not playing, affecting concentration and daily activities.
- Withdrawing from friends and family to prioritise online interactions, potentially leading to strained relationships.
- Experiencing irritability, restlessness, or mood swings when unable to play or facing interruptions.
- Neglecting physical health due to prolonged gaming sessions, such as poor sleep patterns and lack of exercise.
- Using gaming as a coping mechanism to escape from real-life problems or stressors.
- Unsuccessful efforts to reduce gaming time or quit altogether despite recognising its negative impact.
- Hiding the extent of gaming habits or downplaying their impact on personal and social life.
- Persisting in gaming despite adverse effects on mental health, relationships or academic/work performance.
Being aware of these signs can help you assess your relationship with online gaming and seek support if you need.
I hope these tips help you stay safe and have fun while online gaming.
Author: Marshall Thurlow is the Director and Founder of Orion Marketing Pty Ltd. He is a digital marketer with expertise in SEO, website design, content marketing and project management.
