Creating your own profile when you start a new game is such a fun part of the process: you can express yourself and your creativity. But be careful not to give away too much, because not everything you see online is the way it seems.
You’ve probably heard it a million times, but it’s important to keep your personal information private. Where you live, what school you go to, your full name... All of this information is for you and your real-life friends to know, not strangers online. And it takes just a few simple steps to protect your online privacy.
Who are you?
When you create your gaming profile make sure you never use your full name. And if someone you don’t know asks for it in the chat make sure you tell a trusted adult.
Where do you live?
Don’t say where you live and be careful when you talk about school. If you give out the name of the place you study or even the area you’re in, it’s easier for people to identify you.
What do you look like?
Games are about having fun, taking on adventures, and building team spirit. They’re not a place to share pictures. So, if someone asks for photos, speak to a trusted adult talk about it and don’t share pictures of you and your friends.
Who do you hang out with?
When you game online try to be considerate of others too. If someone online knows you, they should never reveal that information to strangers. So just have a chat with your friends to make sure you all stick to these rules.
And last, but by no means least, remember that not everything you see online is true. Try not to get caught out like Ainslie with his ne online buddy Honest Jim! Gaming online is a great way to express your creativity but try to be as genuine as possible.
Find out more about how to have fun and stay safe when you game online.
Own It also has great tips on how to set up your console to restrict content and keep your profile private.
