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The main risk of gaming platforms is consuming and communicating and the potential harms are inappropriate content or cyberbullying.
Games may be played on consoles, mobiles or PCs. This guide deals with consoles as the most common platforms.
Most gaming platforms offer ‘social’ elements, such as chat, messaging and creating and sharing content such as videos made in-game which pose potential risks.
Gaming consoles are the most common platform to access the most popular games:
- Nintendo (Switch)
- Microsoft (Xbox)
- Sony (Playstation)
Risk and potential harms
Ofcom data suggests that the most common potential harms on these types of platforms are:
- viewing inappropriate content
- cyberbullying
- unwanted contact from other users
Almost any app will require the same details to create an account and access its content:
- username (usually an email)
- password
There may be requests for additional information, such as name, address or phone number – these are not always required.
These links explain how to register for and set up an account on the most popular platforms:
Using platform settings to manage risk
Each platform will have a setting for security and privacy – this can be used to control a number of aspects, including:
- who can see your posts or media
- the media and posts shown in your feed
- who can contact or follow you
These links explain how to use settings to reduce the potential risks of unwanted contact, being tagged in abusive or bullying content, or seeing inappropriate or unwanted content on the most popular platforms:
How to report harmful conduct
If a user thinks they have been potentially harmed on the platform they should be aware of how to report this to the platform and potentially the police and trusted adults.
ABUSIVE OR THREATENING MESSAGES SHOULD BE REPORTED TO POLICE SCOTLAND
Online Reporting Form | Police Scotland
These links explain how to report users and content on the most popular platforms:
Resources and activities
Resources and activities
Although not specifically teaching resources, these guides from Shore (The Lucy Faithfull Foundation) can support discussions and are useful to point learners to for information on harmful sexual behaviour, such as unwanted contact or unwanted sexual messages:
What to do if…
Thinkuknow by CEOP is the national website for learning about child exploitation and online protection (CEOP). Their learning resources site offers information and resources for learners, families and educators.
These are a selection of the resources for different ages:
