Resources
Navingating Gaming & Technology
The internet can be an overwhelming place full of conflicting information and resources about the risks and safety of gaming and technology. I have spent countless hours not only gaming and using the newest technologies, I am also constantly reading and researching the latest articles and studies about the most pressing concerns.
Common Sense Media
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/
They are an independent and non-profit resource that is used both parents and educators across North America and is “the leading source of entertainment and technology recommendations for families and schools.” Common Sense Media provides detailed ratings and descriptions for movies, TV shows, games, apps, and podcasts. Before introducing your child to a new entertainment option, be sure to check-in with Common Sense Media first to give yourself a better understanding of the potential risks.
Internet Matters
https://www.internetmatters.org/
They provide comprehensive resources across a wide array of online safety issues including: screen time, cyberbullying, online grooming, sexting, inappropriate content, and much more. Additionally, they provide guidance by age ranges: pre-school (0-5), young children (6-10), pre-teen (11-13), and teens (14+). You do not have to navigate the internet alone.
Dark Pattern Games
https://www.darkpattern.games/
A gaming dark pattern is defined as “something that is deliberately added to a game to cause an unwanted negative experience for the player with a positive outcome for the game developer.” Dark Pattern Games provides ratings for games that are on iOS and Android devices only (no consoles). However, the big three games children and pre-teens are playing are all rated: Roblox, Minecraft, and Fortnite. The website will provide more nuanced insight into which aspects of these games are the ones to watch out for and which ones may not be that worrisome.
