Helping parents and families navigate the world of video games

Bhavina Bharkhada

Head of Campaigns, UKIE

Parents, families and caregivers can foster healthy digital habits with expert advice, game guides and parental controls to enable safe video games at home.

As technology evolves, so does the landscape of parenting. With video game ownership now a staple in 70% of households, it’s evident that children are playing video games more than ever. Yet, startlingly, 4 in 10 parents admit they haven’t broached the topic of online decision-making with their kids.

Boosting parental video games awareness

Recognising the video games decision-making gap, our mission is to equip parents and caregivers with the tools to engage in active discussions about fostering healthy digital habits. Despite the widespread belief among three-quarters of parents that parental controls are essential for safeguarding children in the video games realm, many have yet to harness their protective potential.

For parents and caregivers nurturing children playing
video games, there are actionable steps you can take.

Expert games advice and user-friendly parental controls

Ask About Games is here to empower parents and families to activate these controls. It is readily available on all modern video game platforms. Powered by Ukie and the games industry, it is a resource backed by the video game industry, designed to distil expert advice into digestible insights.

Recognising the time constraints faced by parents, it serves as a one-stop destination for accessing top-notch tips, expert guidance and jargon-free insights into the latest video games landscape. Moreover, it offers a user-friendly guide on configuring parental controls, ensuring families can revel in games experiences safely and joyfully.

How to support children effectively

For parents and caregivers nurturing children playing video games, there are actionable steps you can take to support and guide their passion:

• Share the games experience: Explore Ask About Games’ comprehensive game guides to discover games tailored to your family’s age range and interests, fostering shared enjoyment.
• Implement parental controls: Download the Power Up Pact to agree game time, then leverage Ask About Games’ guidance to configure optimal parental controls tailored to your family’s needs.
• Leverage Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) Ratings: Rely on the content guidelines provided by PEGI ratings to ensure the games your child engages with are age-appropriate and align with your family values.

By embracing these proactive measures, parents, families and caregivers can navigate the realm of video games with confidence, fostering a healthy and enriching digital environment for their children.