ONLINE GAMING TIPS FOR
KIDS, TEENS AND TWEENS

Online gaming is fun and interactive. You can play with friends or with people across the globe. Make sure you
know how to protect yourself and your personal information while playing online. Following these simple
guidelines can prevent problems later.
The first step is STOP. THINK. CONNECT.

It’s your game. Take control.
•If another player is making you feel uncomfortable, tell a trusted adult. Remember that you can always
kick a player out of the game if they are making you uncomfortable.

•Learn how to block and/or report another player if they are making you uncomfortable. Keep a record ofwhat the other player said, but do not engage them.

•Playing with people you don’t know or who aren’t your good friends? Time to use a disguise.
o Use a safe Game Name: something cool like SecretNinja99 or LeTigreVerdeo Use an avatar instead of the webcam. Sure, the webcam is cool, but strangers don’t need to know what
you look like. Embrace an air of mystery.
o Use the voice altering features if you have them. Otherwise, avoid voice chat to protect youranonymity.

Keep a Clean Machine.

Talk to your parents or guardians about how they can make sure your computer is protected against computerviruses, spyware and other bugs.
•Keep security software current: Having the latest security software, web browser, and operating system
are the best defenses against viruses, malware, and other online threats.

•Protect all devices that connect to the Internet: Computers, smart phones, gaming systems, and otherwebenabled devices all need protection from viruses and malware.

Protect Your Personal Information.

Personal information is any information that can be used to identify you or your accounts. Examples include
your name, address, phone number, user names and passwords, pictures, birthday and social security number.
•Secure your accounts: Ask for protection beyond passwords. Many account providers now offer additional
ways for you verify who you are before you conduct business on that site.

•Make passwords long and strong: Combine capital and lowercase letters with numbers and symbols tocreate a more secure password. (Remember, passwords are the keys to your accounts. The only peoplewho need to know them are YOU and your parents. Not your brother, sister, best friend, or teacher – justyou.)•Own your online presence: When available, set the privacy and security settings on websites to yourcomfort level for information sharing. It’s ok to limit how and with whom you share information.
Created by the National Cyber Security Alliance

S TO P T H I N KC O N N E C T. O R G@STOPTHNKCONNECT

STOPTHINKCONNECT

STOPTHINKCONNECTONLINE GAMING TIPS FOR
KIDS, TEENS AND TWEENSBe Web Wise.

Stay informed of the latest Internet developments, know what to do if something goes wrong and be openwith your parents about what you are doing online.
•Stay current. Keep pace with new ways to stay safe online. Check trusted websites for the latest
information, share with friends and family, and encourage them to be web wise.

•Think before you act: Be wary of communications that implores you to act immediately, offers somethingthat sounds too good to be true, or asks for personal information. Do not accept downloads fromstrangers. This includes cheat programs that may claim to help you perform better in the game, but really
could be carrying malware.

Be a Good Online Citizen.

It is easy to say things from behind a computer screen that you would never say face to face. Maintain thesame level of courtesy online that you would in the real world.
•Safer for me more secure for all: What you do online has the potential to affect everyone – at home andaround the world. Practicing good online habits benefits the global digital community.

STOP. Before you use the Internet, take time to understand the risks and learn how to spot
potential problems.
THINK. Take a moment to be certain the path is clear ahead. Watch for warning signs andconsider how your actions online could impact your safety, or your family’s.
CONNECT. Enjoy the Internet with greater confidence, knowing you’ve taken the rightsteps to safeguard yourself and your computer.

Created by the National Cyber Security Alliance

S TO P T H I N KC O N N E C T. O R G@STOPTHNKCONNECT

STOPTHINKCONNECT

STOPTHINKCONNECT