All Fun and Games - E-saftey and gaming

Keanu is watching a live stream of one of his favourite YouTubers gaming. During the stream, the YouTuber makes rude comments about another streamer and suggests that everyone goes and spams them with snake emojis “just as a joke.” What should Keanu do?

• Join in and post the emoji on the chat on the other streamer’s channel

• B. Ignore the instruction

• Message his favourite YouTuber privately to let them know this isn’t okay

Answer explanation

Even if it’s meant as a joke, this sounds like it could be really upsetting for the streamer being targeted. Keanu’s favourite YouTuber may not see or take notice of a message, but it’s better than standing by and doing nothing

Mae is playing an online roleplay game when another player starts following her around in the game and asking for her personal information. What should Mae do?

• A. Turn it into a game and run away from the other player for as long as possible

• . Tell an adult about what’s happening, then report and block the other player

• Message some of her friends and start spamming the other player with messages in return

Answer explanation

This sounds like a worrying situating for Mae, so it’s best that she tells an adult about what’s going on. Reporting and blocking can prevent the other player from contacting her again and is a better way to resolve the situation than retaliating

Yasmeen is trading on her favourite game when another player offers her a purple invisibility potion, but only in exchange for a green crystal. Yasmeen doesn’t have a green crystal, but really wants the potion. What should Yasmeen do?

• Admit she doesn’t have the crystal, but offer something else of equal value instead

• Agree to the trade then sneakily gift the other player another item instead

• Spend ages trying to find a green crystal she can trade for the potion

Answer explanation

t’s best for Yasmeen to be honest, even if it means she doesn’t get the potion. Trading something else would be unfair and may even break the game’s rules. Looking for a crystal could work, but it may not be much fun or the best use of Yasmeen’s time!

Tyler is playing in a team online with one of his friends from school. They’re in a difficult match and Tyler can hear his friend getting more and more frustrated over his headset. When they lose, his friend loses his temper and there’s a loud noise before he disconnects from the game. What should Tyler do?

• A. Wait until his friend is next online then make a joke about him rage quitting

• Give his friend some time to cool off then send him a supportive message

• Suggest they don’t play that game again as it’s too tricky

Answer explanation

Gaming can be stressful and emotional, especially when it’s very competitive. Sending a supportive message is a great way for Tyler to show that he’s there for his friend and remind him that gaming is supposed to be fun. Remember if you find that being on a game is too stressful then having a break, taking some deep breaths, or speaking to an adult can all help

Ishaan is online with a group of friends, but knows he needs to log off soon to finish his chores. When he messages them to say goodbye, they all try to convince him to stay. Ishaan hates saying no to his friends and doesn’t want to miss out on the fun. What should Ishaan do?

• Log off for now but agree another time when they can all play together

• Focus on having fun and forget about his chores

• Lie to his friends and tell them his internet is broken so they don’t think he’s ignored them

Answer explanation

It can be tricky to say no to your friends, especially in a group situation, but being honest is important. Good friends should listen and respect your choices. Ishaan should be honest with his friends and remember that they’ll have lots of other opportunities to have fun together.

Kayla has lots of friends who are boys and loves playing online with them. They always have fun with lots of competition and banter, but lately Kayla has been feeling fed up with the constant jokes about “girl gamers.” What should Kayla do?

• Block and report the next person who makes a joke about girl gamers

• Find some other girl gamers to play with instead of the boys

• Explain to her friends how she is feeling and give them a chance to change their behaviour

Answer explanation

It sounds like the boys are being silly, but that doesn’t mean what they’re doing is okay. Kayla should let them know that jokes like this are not okay and explain how they make her and others feel. As her friends, Kayla should give them a chance to change their behaviour before she takes any further action

Nico has been playing online with a more experienced gamer for several months. They have a good friendship, and the player has always been supportive and helped him out. Now the player has invited him to a gaming party at his house, which is just around the corner from where Nico lives. What should Nico do?

• . Go to the party but take a school friend with him for company

• Block the other gamer and only play online with people he knows offline as well

• Tell an adult about his friend’s invitation and decide how to respond together

Answer explanation

Even though they are good online friends, Nico has never met his friend in-person so it’s not safe to agree to meet up. Nico should tell an adult about what his friend has suggested and they can decide together what to do next. Remember a good friend will understand even if you say no to something they have suggested.

Jamie is new to gaming and has noticed a lot of swearing on some of the servers they play on. The language makes them feel uncomfortable and even though they doesn’t swear themselves, they’re worried they might get in trouble if their parents see it. What should Jamie do?

• Block and report any players they see or hear swearing

• Speak to their parents about what’s happening and how it’s making them feel

• Start their own server where swearing isn’t allowed

Answer explanation

All three of these are positive choices! The best choice is for Jamie to tell their parents, who will want to support them and can help work out what to do next. Blocking and reporting can be helpful but could take a lot of time if many people are involved, whilst starting their own server will have its own difficulties as well. Remember it’s best to tell an adult if anything online worries or upsets you.

Dajuan has always loved going online but recently it’s been causing lots of arguments with his family. They always call for dinner right in the middle of a level and he finds it so frustrating when he has to let his team down and leave the game. What should Dajuan do?

• Shout at his family for ruining his game

• Explain to his team that he has to leave because of his family and it’s not his fault

• Talk to his family about what time dinner usually is and try not to start new games just before this

Answer explanation

Dajuan’s family may not realise that they are interrupting a game in the middle of a level or that this is causing problems for his team. Communicating with his family and showing that he’s willing to compromise will help improve Dajuan’s relationships

Sena and her friends all love going online, but a new girl has just joined their class who doesn’t have a device at home. Sena wants her to feel included but isn’t sure what they’ll have in common if she doesn’t use the internet – plus she can’t join their group chat! What should Sena do?

• Invite the new girl to her house to get to know her better and find something else they both enjoy

• Stop worrying about it, there’s nothing she can do.

• Spend 5 minutes every morning updating the new girl with what’s happened in the group chat in the last 24 hours

Answer explanation

Not everybody enjoys being online, or even has access to the internet, but that doesn’t mean you’ll have nothing in common. Sena should spend some time with the new girl and avoid talking lots about the group chat, as it may make her feel even more left out!