You Can't Control What Happens Online

Hello again!! This is so true that you cannot control what happens online. It can be a dangerous place, and there are so many things that people do on the internet that most of us don't even want to know about. That is the thing with games is that while content is rated, the interactions that people have in the games is not. When a young kid gets really into playing Call of Duty (they're pretty much all interchangeable by now), or they really want their tank to stop slacking off, things can get pretty heated. You hear people say things that they would never say if, first, you knew their real names, and second, if they were able to stand toe to toe with you. It's all a matter of anonymity and the freedom that people thinks it gives them. Just because people don't know who someone is doe not give them the right to threaten, insult or verbally abuse. Yet you hear of it so many times, boys playing first person shooters yelling over their headsets about abusing people and their family, sexual jokes over chats that should never see the light of day. Insane swear words coming from frustrated players who have tried ten thousand times to beat that boss but still cannot manage to. I remember recently on LOTRO (which actually has the friendliest of communities, but sometimes we get a bit wild) a conversation about Gandalf being a little too friendly with Shadowfax and for some reason someone talking about their sexploits or the fact that the best way to play the game is when you're both drunk and high. After a while it just gets annoying to players who know how this sort of thing works, but to players who don't usually play (casual players) or young children, this can be devastating and can be a real turn off. Here's the thing though. You cannot control onine interactions, but you can control what is played in your house. If your child is going to play an online game, check the rating and check out the game for yourself. You should never just send them out into that world blind. You check it out, if you deem it safe, let them have a try. And be sure that you tell them that if anything happens, they should tell you about it. If there is anything being said that is harassing, sexual, or just generally makes them feel uncomfortable, have them tell you, the parent, and then go check it out. Sometime things are as easy as setting a profanity filter. Sometimes they are more complicated like reporting someone. Other times it can be sad when you have no other choice but to report abusive player and then pull the plug on the game. That's never a good things, and most gamers hate to see others go like that, but if that is what you have to do to protect your children, then it is what you have to do. Never let harassment go unchecked. Games should be a safe place for all players, young and old, and if one person is messing things up, you should let the game masters and admins know, because it is not fair. It should be gaming for all!!