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Before they press play
The parent’s guide to kids’ games and apps
Games are where a lot of kids play, learn and hang out with friends. This guide explains the parts that matter to parents, in plain words: what the age ratings mean, how in-game money works, the scams aimed at kids, who they can talk to, and how to set it all up in a few minutes.
The 10-minute safety setup
Do these once for each device your child uses. Tick them off as you go.
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The kinds of games kids play
Most games fit one of these types. Each one is fun for different reasons, and each has one or two things worth checking.
Building and sandbox
Kids build whole worlds block by block, alone or with friends on shared servers. Great for creativity and planning.
Check: public servers and open chat. Private worlds with friends are the safer start.
Action and battle
Fast rounds against other players, often in teams. Popular with older kids and teens.
Check: the age rating, voice chat with strangers, and paid season passes.
Puzzle and party
Short, bright rounds that are easy to pick up. Often the first games younger kids play.
Check: frequent ads and paid extra lives or hints.
Pets and life sims
Caring for pets or characters, decorating homes and trading items with other players.
Check: trading with strangers and pressure to get rare items. This is where many trade scams happen.
What the age ratings mean
Ratings tell you about content like violence, language and fear. They do not rate chat with strangers or spending, so check those separately.
| Age group | Europe & UK (PEGI) | US & Canada (ESRB) | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Young children | PEGI 3PEGI 7 | E | Mild cartoon action at most. A good starting point. |
| Around 10–12 | PEGI 12 | E10+ | More fantasy fighting and mild language. |
| Teens | PEGI 16 | T | Realistic violence, stronger language, some suggestive themes. |
| Adults | PEGI 18 | MAO | Intense violence and mature content. Not meant for children. |
App stores show their own age rating on every app page. Look for extra labels too, such as “In-app purchases” or “Users interact”, which tell you the game has spending or chat.
In-game money and purchases
Many free games make money from small purchases. Kids often don’t feel it as real money, because it’s turned into coins, gems or bucks first.
Virtual currency
Real money buys game coins, and coins buy items. Bundles are priced so there’s usually some currency left over, which nudges the next purchase.
Mystery rewards
Loot boxes, spins and surprise packs give a random prize. Explain to your child that it works like a lucky draw, and most pulls are the common items.
What helps
Turn on purchase approval, remove saved cards from game accounts, and agree on a monthly budget. Gift cards give a clear limit your child can see.
Scams that target young players
Scammers know kids want game currency and rare items. The trick is almost always the same: promise something free, then ask for a password, a code or a download.
No site or app gives away free game currency
- “Free coins generators” never work. They collect passwords, show endless offers or install unwanted apps.
- Fake giveaways in videos, comments or messages ask kids to “verify” their account on another site.
- Trade scams ask for an item first and promise something better later.
- Password requests from “staff” or “moderators” are fake. Real game staff never ask for a password.
How to protect the account
Turn on two-step verification in each game account, use an email address you control, and keep the password between you and your child.
Something to tell your child
“If anything online says you’ll get free stuff for your password or a code, it’s a trick. Show me and we’ll check it together.”
Chat, friends and strangers
Many games let players text or voice chat. Most conversations are about the game, and settings make it easy to limit who can reach your child.
Settings that make a difference
Choose friends-only chat, turn off voice chat for younger kids, and require your approval for new friends where the game allows it. Keep devices in shared rooms for younger children.
Teach the basics
Use a nickname that doesn’t show their real name, age, school or town. Don’t share photos or move a chat to another app with someone they only know from a game.
Warning signs to talk about
- Someone asks to keep the chat a secret from parents.
- An online friend offers gifts, currency or items for nothing.
- They push to move the conversation to a private app.
- They ask for photos, personal details or where your child lives.
- Your child seems upset, secretive or anxious after playing.
Screen time that actually works
Rules work best when kids help make them and they stay the same every day. Device limits back up the rules; they don’t replace the talk.
Make a family plan
Agree on when games are fine, when they’re not (meals, homework, bedtime) and what happens if the rules are broken.
Warn before stopping
Many games can’t be paused. A 10-minute warning lets your child finish the round instead of losing progress.
Screens out at night
Charge phones and tablets outside the bedroom. It helps sleep more than any app setting.
Parental controls, device by device
Each device has free built-in controls. Menu names change with updates, so if you can’t find something, search the settings for “parental” or “family”.
iPhone and iPad
- Set up Family Sharing and add your child’s account.
- Turn on Ask to Buy for purchases.
- In Screen Time, set app limits, downtime and content restrictions by age.
Android phones and tablets
- Use Google Family Link to manage your child’s account.
- Require approval for purchases and downloads in Google Play.
- Set daily limits and a bedtime from the Family Link app.
Game consoles
- Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch each have a family or parental controls app.
- Set age limits, spending limits, play time and who can chat.
Inside popular games
- Big games like Roblox, Fortnite and Minecraft have parental controls in their account settings.
- Link a parent account or add a parental PIN, then set chat and spending limits.
Talking with your kids
Playing a round with them is the easiest way in. Kids open up more when you’re curious about the game instead of worried about it.
- “What’s the best part of this game? Can you show me?”
- “Who do you usually play with? Do you know them offline?”
- “Has anyone ever asked you for something weird in a game?”
- “If something online made you feel bad, what would you do?”
If something goes wrong
Stay calm first. Your child needs to know that telling you was the right choice.
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Thank them for telling you
Avoid taking the device away as a punishment, or they may not tell you next time.
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Save what happened
Take screenshots of messages, usernames and dates before blocking anyone.
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Block and report
Use the report button in the game or app. Change the password if the account may be affected.
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Get outside help when needed
If an adult asked your child for photos or to meet, or your child may be in danger, contact your local police. In the US you can also report to the NCMEC CyberTipline at report.cybertip.org.
Common questions
What age is right for online multiplayer games?
There’s no single age. Look at the rating, whether the game has open chat, and how your child handles losing and strangers. Many families start with offline or friends-only play and open things up over time.
My child already made purchases without asking. What can I do?
Turn on purchase approval right away. App stores have a way to request a refund for purchases made by mistake; look for “report a problem” or “request a refund” in your purchase history.
Are free games really free?
Most are free to download and earn money through ads or purchases. That’s fine, as long as you know what your child can buy and have limits in place.
How can I check if a game is right for my child?
Read the store’s age rating and labels, watch a few minutes of gameplay together, and look at independent reviews for parents, such as Common Sense Media.