The Evolution of Youth Spaces: From Arcades to Online Gaming – What Parents & Caregivers Can Do To Reduce The Risks!
- The White Hatter
- Oct 9, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: May 8
Recently, we did a presentation to a group of parents called, “Gaming Concerns, Balance, Addiction, & Opportunities”. In that presentation, we heard a comment from a parent who stated that they wished that there were still store front arcades given that they believed they were safer for kids.
Before online gaming became a dominant part of youth culture, many children and teens would flock to arcades to play the latest video games. Classics like Pac-Man and Asteroids drew young people into these spaces. However, these store-front arcades, while seemingly harmless places of fun, were also known to attract those with darker intentions. Unfortunately, they became hotspots for pimps and predators looking to groom, recruit, and exploit vulnerable youth into the sex trade.
For instance, in Victoria British Columbia during the 1990s, the "Goose" pool hall and arcade was one such notorious spot. Darren, during his time in law enforcement, participated in several covert operations aimed at targeting the predators who lurked in these locations. It was a clear pattern - wherever young people gathered outside the home, those looking to harm or exploit them were never far behind.
Fast forward to today, and while the physical gathering places have shifted, the threat remains the same - just in a different form. With the rise of social media, streaming, and online gaming platforms, those with harmful intentions have found new spaces to target youth. Gaming platforms that are widely popular among children and teens, whether it’s Fortnite (1), Roblox (2), or Minecraft (3), can also attract individuals looking to exploit and prey upon them for sexual predation and exploitation – wherever youth are online there will be those who will want to target them for sexual predation and exploitation. In an anecdotal survey we took of hundreds of teens, about 28% (about 1 in 4) stated that they were approached in an online game by someone they did not know, love, or trust who wanted to engage in some form of unwanted sexualized behavior
However, many parents may not be aware that some of the most popular online gaming platforms offer crucial safety features designed to mitigate these risks. For example, games like Fortnite, Roblox, and Minecraft provide the option to create "private servers." These allow parents and their children to control who can join their gaming sessions, essentially creating a more secure and controlled environment. Taking advantage of this feature can significantly reduce the chances of predators gaining access to youth or teens. If parents and caregivers do not take advantage of these safety measures, then “yes” risks increase dramatically, especially for younger youth. Youth that we have spoken to who are using these private servers have anecdotally shared with us that they have never been approached in their game for unwanted sexualized behaviour. Why? - because they and their parent’s control who they let in to play.
We believe that online gaming today is generally safer for youth than the old days of storefront arcades, but it also brings new risks, such as the potential to connect with predators from anywhere in the world. Unlike storefront arcades of the past, kids can now play from home, where parents can supervise more easily, and many online platforms do have parental controls to manage interactions and content when utilized.
However, because online gaming connects youth and teens globally with others, there’s a risk that kids could encounter online predators. Parents can minimize this risk by using parental controls to restrict communication, keeping an eye on who their children are gaming with, encouraging open conversations about digital literacy and online safety, and regularly checking in on their child’s gaming activities. By staying involved and aware, parents can help ensure that online gaming remains a safer and more enjoyable experience for their children.
By encouraging your child to game in these safer, monitored spaces, you help protect them from the very real dangers of online predation. It’s essential for parents to recognize that, just as physical locations once posed risks, today’s virtual spaces come with their own unique set of challenges. However, with proactive steps, such as using private servers and other parental controls, you can allow your child to more safely enjoy the fun and social interaction that online gaming provides.
For a comprehensive exploration of the positive and negative impacts of online gaming on youth and teens, be sure to read the dedicated chapter in our free web book for parents on this topic (4).
Digital Food For Thought
The White Hatter
Facts Not Fear, Facts Not Emotions, Enlighten Not Frighten, Know Tech Not No Teach
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