Centre Issues Advisory To Parents, Teachers On Children's Safe Online Gaming

"Children should be counselled to not give personal information over the Internet while downloading games or making gaming profiles," the advisory recommended.

Not allowing in-game purchases without parental consent, avoiding credit or debit cards registration on apps for subscriptions, using screen name (avatar) that does not reveal their real name and installing internet gateway at home with features like monitoring, logging and controlling the types of content that the children can access, are among the do's and don'ts listed in the Ministry of Education's advisory on safe online gaming.

Noting that closure of schools due to CVID-19 pandemic has increased the use of mobile and internet by children and ultimately online gaming addiction, the advisory for parents and teachers on "Chidlren's safe online gaming" has been issued by MoE to enable parents and teachers in educating them for necessary action, ensuring effective use in overcoming all online gaming downsides with the associated mental and physical stress to children.

"Playing games leads to a serious gaming addiction which has been considered as a gaming disorder. The game is designed in a way that each level is more complicated and complex than the previous one. This causes a player to push themselves to the limit in order to progress in the game.

"Therefore, playing online games with no restriction and self-limits leads many players to become addicted and are eventually diagnosed with gaming disorder. The gaming companies also emotionally compel the child to buy more levels and almost force in-app purchases," the advisory noted.