The Belgian Safer Internet Centre shares practical tips on how, as a parent or caregiver, you can help your child choose safe and fun apps and games they can use on their devices.
Together with your child
When you’re looking for a fun app or game for your child, choose something that matches their “offline” interests. Does your child love building? Then Minecraft might be a great choice. Do they enjoy drawing? There are plenty of drawing apps available. This way, you can find online alternatives for many activities. The reverse is also true: if your child enjoys a puzzle app, there are lots of great physical games for that too!
For younger children, it’s best to install the app together with a parent or caregiver. Watch your child the first time they are opening the app, and explore together what the app can do. Keep monitoring your child’s online behaviour later on: ask what they’ve been playing and check in regularly.
Check ratings and reviews
The various app stores available often provide useful information about apps and games. Look at the age ratings as they can give you an indication of the app’s content.
You can also read user reviews: they offer insights into the app’s features and what works well or less well. Experiences from other parents or caregivers in your network can also help you get a clear picture of an app or game.
Is this game suitable?
Would you like to know, as a parent or caregiver, if a game is appropriate for your child? You can often find a trailer (promotional video), gameplay footage (showing how others play) and even full reviews by other players on YouTube. This gives you a sense of what the game looks like in practice.
All games also have a PEGI rating: this system categorises games by age and content. It tells you what elements and risks (for example, foul language, violence beng shown, etc.) a video game may contain, and for which age group it is suitable. Note that the age icons are linked to the content elements of the game - the rating does not give an indication of the skills a player needs to play the game.
Find more information about the work of the Belgian Safer Internet Centre, including its awareness raising, helpline, hotline, and youth participation services, or find similar information for other Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.
The Belgian Safer Internet Centre shares practical tips on how, as a parent or caregiver, you can help your child choose safe and fun apps and games they can use on their devices.
Together with your child
When you’re looking for a fun app or game for your child, choose something that matches their “offline” interests. Does your child love building? Then Minecraft might be a great choice. Do they enjoy drawing? There are plenty of drawing apps available. This way, you can find online alternatives for many activities. The reverse is also true: if your child enjoys a puzzle app, there are lots of great physical games for that too!
For younger children, it’s best to install the app together with a parent or caregiver. Watch your child the first time they are opening the app, and explore together what the app can do. Keep monitoring your child’s online behaviour later on: ask what they’ve been playing and check in regularly.
Check ratings and reviews
The various app stores available often provide useful information about apps and games. Look at the age ratings as they can give you an indication of the app’s content.
You can also read user reviews: they offer insights into the app’s features and what works well or less well. Experiences from other parents or caregivers in your network can also help you get a clear picture of an app or game.
Is this game suitable?
Would you like to know, as a parent or caregiver, if a game is appropriate for your child? You can often find a trailer (promotional video), gameplay footage (showing how others play) and even full reviews by other players on YouTube. This gives you a sense of what the game looks like in practice.
All games also have a PEGI rating: this system categorises games by age and content. It tells you what elements and risks (for example, foul language, violence beng shown, etc.) a video game may contain, and for which age group it is suitable. Note that the age icons are linked to the content elements of the game - the rating does not give an indication of the skills a player needs to play the game.
Find more information about the work of the Belgian Safer Internet Centre, including its awareness raising, helpline, hotline, and youth participation services, or find similar information for other Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.
- < Previous article
- Next article >
- < Previous
- Next >
Related articles
