This past fall, our family went on a cruise to the Western Caribbean. Its kid camp offered a variety of kid activities, including game time in the boat’s computer lab. My son learned how to play Roblox, Minecraft and Fortnite with the other kids on the boat. He loved playing, and I loved that everything was on a closed server. There was an additional in-person moderator to keep the kids in check and I was relieved that he was playing with peers he could actually see and interact with.  

Now that we’re back, he wants to keep playing these awesome games but it’s different. Without the security the boat provided, he’s exposed the entire online world.

Once upon a time, the playground was THE place for kids to meet up, hang out, and blow off that excess energy. Now, it’s the metaverse. If you’re not tech or digitally-savvy like me, the online universe is like the wild west; and now my soon-to-be 8-year-old wants to be part of it. What is a parent to do? But first, what the heck is the metaverse (in a non-Zuckerberg sense)?

In the simplest terms, the metaverse refers to a platform of interconnected digital worlds where people interact through first-person avatars. Unlike traditional video games or even massive multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs), players have more freedom in creating their own worlds and more control over their avatars. The emphasis is on building social connections and having shared experiences in a digital context, rather than just focusing on winning or completing specific objectives.

While the metaverse provides opportunities for immersive learning, kids prefer to use it for gaming and socialization. According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 90% of children over the age of 2 play video games, and 3/4 of American households own a video game console. For kids ages 8-17, that adds up to an average of 1.5 to 2 hours each day spent gaming. While I have no problems with gaming, it’s the online component that freaks me out. Like, does anyone remember online chat rooms? a/s/l…ew.

Our kids will eventually become part of this world, if they haven’t already. While I’d much rather retreat to old school forms of entertainment, it’s best that I at least become acquainted with and knowledgeable about this digital universe for my kids’ sake. Although this space is a progression of the tech that came before it, it still comes with unfamiliar territory that comes with risks and rewards for our kids.

That’s So Meta

Why do kids gravitate to the metaverse? For one, the pandemic left many kids alone at home with minimal connection to the outside world. Minecraft, Roblox, and Fortnite remedied their loneliness and provided a digital community not only with friends, but with peers all over the globe. Creator content channels (LankyBox, Ryan’s World, and Kid City, where players record and share their gaming experiences) have become mainstays, making aspects of the universe “kid friendly”. The metaverse has become a place for the “cool kids” to hang and socialize, even though the games played are not specifically created for their consumption.

The popularity it has garnered from this young age demographic is also due to what it offers them. Kids are naturally creative and curious. The metaverse gives kids autonomy to create an avatar and a world to their own liking. That freedom of expression and creativity allows them to think outside and beyond the physical limitations of the real world and into whatever they can come up with in this alternative universe.

Beyond the metaverse becoming the new afterschool hangout spot, it also offers a space to meet new people and form friendships that aren’t influenced by physical appearance or school status. Users can fully embrace their chosen identities and showcase their personalities in any way they wish.

“Seems a Bit Sus”

Much like previous entertainment platforms, the metaverse also comes with its own set of risks and safety challenges. Roblox, for instance, is a platform where users create and play games made by other users. This means the content can vary widely in quality and suitability for children. Although Roblox claims to review “every single image, video, and audio file” uploaded to the platform, inappropriate content often slips through. This ranges from unsuitable games to explicit imagery that can remain live until reported.

Despite Roblox’s ongoing efforts to protect its young users, including recent safety updates aimed at shielding children from online predators, it still falls short of being kid friendly. And this struggle isn’t just with Roblox, but other popular online games, too. Aside from explicit content and stranger danger, other risks include:

• Bullying and harassment. This can look like trolling, griefing (intentionally ruining a player’s gameplay experience), or doxing (publicly posting a player’s sensitive data).
• Scams. They are usually in the form of fake gaming websites or phishing messages that promise free games or extra in-game currency in exchange for personal details to ultimately gain access into the gamer’s account.
• Microtransactions (In-Game Purchases).While these can enhance the gaming experience, children might inadvertently spend a fortune on virtual items and rewards.

Although this may seem quite daunting (and it is), it doesn’t mean you should completely shield your kids from it. Even if you’re not playing these games yourself, your guidance and gatekeeping is necessary in shaping their gaming experience. Take the time to understand the games your children are interested in and consider the following:

• Content Rating. The ESRB assigns age ratings to games ranging from E (for Everyone) to A (Adults Only). For instance, Fortnite and Roblox are rated T (for Teens, ages 13+), while Minecraft and Among Us are E10+.
• Chat Function. Some online games require players to collaborate to win, while others simply offer chat functionality. Be aware of the chat options available in each game.
• The Community. Each game fosters its own social environment. Investigate who is playing these games and how they typically interact online.
• Parental Monitoring. Check how much information the game provides about your child’s playtime. Some games have extensive records of player actions, while others retain minimal information.
• In-Game Purchases. If your child is playing a game with in-app purchases, ensure you control the transaction mechanism. If a game doesn’t allow you to block payments, you might not want to link your credit card to it.
• Moderators. Moderators act as referees and tech support to ensure an age-appropriate experience for all players in these online social communities.

Playing it Safe

If I’m being honest, I’m nervous to let my kids engage in this world even though I know it’s inevitable (especially if their friends take part in it). While the idea of having a virtual private server (VPS) has come to mind a few times, it may be a bit extreme. One of the best ways to protect our kids from the potential dangers is for us to be active participants in the gaming experience. Here are some tips to help keep our kids safe:

• Become an informed metaverse consumer by trying it out with your child and experiencing it together. You can gain a more in-depth understanding of how your child uses the metaverse by testing this virtual platform on your own. Plus, it serves as a great bonding experience.

• Educate your child on the dangers of using any online platform, from talking to strange people to encountering potential scams. You should also explain why they should never share any personal info with other users.

• Demonstrate how to handle risky situations they may face while on these gaming platforms. Teach them how to handle rude gamers, report inappropriate content, block abusive users, or tackle questions related to personal information.

• Establish the house rules and boundaries of the metaverse. Additionally, remind them that the rules of conduct still apply. Inform your child that the things they say and do while during gameplay can have real life consequences. Someone could take a screen capture of what your child is saying in chat, or record audio, or a friend’s parent could even be in the room overhearing what they are saying.

• Set up and implement parental controls. This can be applying time limits, disabling chat functions, access to messages and friend list, or receiving notifications to your personal devices.

• Set a limit to the amount of time your child can spend in the metaverse. To safeguard that they aren’t fully consumed in their virtual worlds, make sure that they are:
  • Seeing friends and interacting with them in real life      
  • Participating in extracurricular activities they’re excited about
  • Keeping up with academic classes and doing homework
  • Building positive relationships with family members
  • Getting enough sleep

• Stay up to date with changing policies, recent metaverse-related studies, and trends. Also, be sure to read up on children’s privacy laws and data protection and ways to help protect your child from data hackers.

Even with your best efforts, kids may still come across troubling content. That’s why it’s important to keep an open-door policy where they feel comfortable approaching us with any concerns. If they’re distressed by something they’ve experienced on a platform, they need to know they can talk to us without fear of getting in trouble and that we are there to support them.

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Thank you to @thegamereducator, @fortsafety, and @healthygamerfamilies!

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