Gaming

One of the coolest things about surfing the net is finding all sorts of online games to play. There’s something for everyone, from games you can play by yourself to others that you play against other people, or even hook up to form teams to play. Some games even let you chat to people you’re playing with or against!

Whenever you want to play a game you haven’t played online before, it’s a good idea to run it past your parent or caregiver first. They can help you decide if the game looks any good, if your computer has the right equipment to let you play it, and whether it’s meant for people your age. Some games are age-restricted, which means you’re only allowed to play them once you reach a certain age, so it’s important you always check that out with an adult before playing a game. You might also want to ask your parent or caregiver to play the game with you; who knows what you might learn off each other!

A friend has sent me a link to a game: what should I do?

In addition to coming across games whilst surfing or on your favourite websites, you might be sent a link to a new game from a friend. Always check with your caregiver before you follow any links sent to you via email, IM or whilst chatting, as they may not be what they seem! You may be taken to a webpage you didn’t want to go to, and some links can even contain viruses that can infect and cause damage to your computer. Only ever follow a link you’ve been sent after getting the ok from an adult that you trust.

Chatting in games
Some games let you chat with the people you are playing with or against while the game is being played. This can be a really fun way to work out new game strategies but it’s important to know ways to get the most out of chatting online before you try it. To make sure you don’t get caught out, check out our top tips for chatting online here, or read up on how to protect your personal info here.