In-game chat

In-game chat: what parents and carers need to know

Learn more about in-game chat and the measures you can take to help protect your child when socialising in gaming.

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Why do children use in-game chat?

Online games are very popular amongst children and young people. 60% of children aged 3-17 playing video games. Popular games include Fortnite, Minecraft and Roblox. For those who play games, 64% of 8-17s use the in-game chat function to talk to their friends or people they know in person.

In-game chat can help teams achieve objectives or simply facilitate fun. For the most part, children are able to use in-game chats to have safe conversations with their friends.

Although socialising in games can be fun, there is a chance children may encounter people they don’t know. 31% of children who play online games say that they have communicated with strangers. There is a possibility that the chat tools used to bring players together can be abused. Taking an interest in any online game your children play will help you to identify risks.

How does in-game chat work?

Common in-game chat functions. Built-in open chat functions let players talk through a headset or send typed messaged with other people in the game. Quick chat functions have set phrases, so players can send short, automatic messages to another player. For example, sending ‘Nice shot!’ to a team mate who scores a goal. Platform messaging is on many gaming platforms such as PlayStation Network. They let players send voice or text messages to other players, just like a messaging app or social media. Players can send their gaming tag (username) to other gamers and add them to a game or chat with them privately. ‘Ping’ systems allow players to use non–verbal communication to ‘talk’. For example, a ‘ping’ is where you can alert other players to a useful item or hazard by ‘pointing’ at it and pressing a button. External chat or messaging apps (like Discord or WhatsApp) can be used by players to talk to each other during the game. This chat can be voice, video or text. Some apps can even be set up to look like they are part of the game (called in –game overlay).

What are the risks of in-game chat?

While there are many benefits of in-game chat for children and young people, there are some risks. Risks include:

  • Chatting with people they don’t know. Gaming is different to social networks, as players often play against people they don’t know.  This may include adults.
  • Inappropriate or unmoderated chat. While many in-game chat functions are monitored, chats are live. This increases the risk of children being exposed to swearing, insults or inappropriate language without warning.
  • Requests to chat in private. Some people online are genuine and just want to chat about gaming. But asking to move to a private chat can be a warning sign.  Asking to move to a private chat can be to gain personal information or pressure a child to do something they don’t want to do, in an environment that is no longer monitored by the platform's moderation tools or community team.
  • Offering gifts or trades. Some people may offer to trade (or gift) your child in-game items or currencies. This can be a fun part of game play but in some cases could be to earn their trust and persuade them to have a separate conversation outside of the game. Remember, once they’re out of the game and into a private space, then it will no longer be monitored by the game.

4 things you can do to help protect your child with safer in-game chat

  1. Get to know the online games your children play. Watch your children play their online games, or have a go yourself. When this is not possible, having regular conversations with your children can help you understand who they talk to online and how.
  2. Use family controls. Use family controls and in-game settings to manage, limit or turn off in-game chat. This helps keep interactions age-appropriate. Click here for guides on setting up parental controls on many popular games and consoles.
  3. Keep devices in a shared space for primary aged children. Keep devices in a shared space in the house like a dining or living room to better supervise interactions. You can also use settings to limit screen time to help children to manage their time. Click here for more information on screen time including setting up controls.
  4. Support your children to report inappropriate chat. Reporting inappropriate in-game chat can help catch potential problems early. While many games use artificial intelligence (AI) moderation systems to filter or identify inappropriate chat, players can also report to the platform directly. Support your children to tell you when a chat makes them feel worried or uncomfortable and help them report directly to the game or console. Click here for specific reporting processes for many popular games and consoles.

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