Gaming can take you on epic
\nadventures, forge life-long friendships, and offer opportunities for creativity
\nand fun each time you play. However, it\u2019s important to be aware of the safety
\ntools and settings available when gaming online. <\/p>\n
At Xbox, we believe that gaming In support of global Safer Internet Day 2020, we gathered the top five tips from the Xbox Ambassadors\u2019 community to help you stay safe while gaming online. Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind.<\/p>\n Safety Tip #1: Use Family Settings for Child and Teen Accounts<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cThe Microsoft family account<\/a> offers many ways to customize the gaming experience to fit with your and your child\u2019s online needs. From the weekly email detailing activity, to protections against unwanted purchases, family settings on Xbox<\/a> is a great tool in any parents\u2019 arsenal.\u201d \u2014 Pandy Yato, Xbox Ambassador <\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThe best \u201cUse family settings on Xbox<\/a> and privacy settings available, and \u201cFor \u201cCheck the age ratings on games. Age ratings For more information, explore the family and online safety<\/a> page.<\/p>\n Safety Tip #2: Keep Personal Information Personal<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cStaying \u201cPrivacy settings can help keep you \u201cFishing is For more information, check out how to manage your privacy settings on Xbox One<\/a>.<\/p>\n Safety Tip #3: Stay Secure <\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cKeep your Wi-Fi secure. Wi-Fi is an easy way to access your private information. Use a VPN when gaming on the go on open networks. Keep your home Wi-Fi password secure and create a guest network that limits access to other computers on your network.\u201d \u2014 FourNinjaToads, Xbox Ambassador<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t believe everything you hear or read on the Internet. If it sounds too good to be true, especially when it comes to in-game purchases, competitions, and perks such as in-game items (e.g. skins, weapons etc.), it most likely is.\u201d \u2014 MissDeusGeek, Xbox Ambassador <\/em><\/p>\n Safety Tips #4: Take Breaks<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cThis is an important tip, which most people forget: take regular breaks. Safety isn\u2019t just limited to your online presence, but also your physical health. Take a few minutes to stretch and step away from gaming.\u201d\u2014 ONI Assassin, Xbox Ambassador <\/em><\/p>\n \u201cLimiting screen time can help, it gives your eyes time to rest (eye strain is a real thing) and be sure to grab a bite to eat, have a drink, and spend some time with loved ones. Your games are going nowhere and those who are the closest to you matter (trust me).\u201d \u2014 oO HyPeR C Oo, Xbox Ambassador <\/em><\/p>\n Safety Tip #5: Have Fun in the way That is Right for You <\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cIf you don\u2019t feel comfortable \u201cIf you come across a message or player that breaks the community standards for Xbox<\/a>, do not hesitate to report and\/or block them. This will prevent them contacting you further and from matching with them in the future. Here\u2019s a handy link: block\/mute\/report other players<\/a>.\u201d \u2014 oO HyPeR C Oo, Xbox Ambassador <\/em><\/p>\n Putting \u201cTips\u201d into Action<\/strong><\/p>\n Safer Internet Day aims to create a safer Today, we challenge
\nshould be inclusive of all, accessible to all, and safe for all. One way in
\nwhich we pursue this mission is by empowering a community of players, the Xbox
\nAmbassadors<\/a>, to
\nshare their Xbox expertise and connect with fellow gamers and to help make gaming
\nfun for everyone. <\/p>\n![\"Safer](\"https:\/\/www.sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/mark-safer-internet-day-with-these-top-5-gaming-tips-from-xbox-ambassadors.jpg\")
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\nfeature is the reporting Microsoft provides. It tells you what your child has
\nbeen up to on both Xbox and PC, including which games and applications they
\nhave used and for how long.\u201d \u2014 ONI
\nAssassin, Xbox Ambassador <\/em><\/p>\n
\nconsider playing some games together with your child.\u201d \u2014 oO HyPeR C Oo, Xbox Ambassador <\/em><\/p>\n
\nparents, it\u2019s important that they know exactly what their child is playing and
\nwho they are playing with. It\u2019s also important to educate children about being
\nsmart online and to set time limits\/ground rules when it comes to gaming. This
\nwill help give children a better balance in their daily life.\u201d \u2014 MissDeusGeek, Xbox Ambassador<\/em><\/p>\n![\"Safer](\"https:\/\/www.sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/mark-safer-internet-day-with-these-top-5-gaming-tips-from-xbox-ambassadors-1.jpg\")
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\nare there to help make sure you can enjoy games without seeing or hearing
\nthings that may upset or disturb you. Here\u2019s a handy link: Age Ratings<\/a>\u201d \u2014 oO HyPeR C Oo, Xbox Ambassador <\/em><\/p>\n
\nsafe while playing games online is absolutely important. The best way to stay
\nsafe, in my opinion, is to set your privacy and security settings to the
\nhighest level, and do not give out any personal details to anyone online.\u201d \u2014 MissDeusGeek, Xbox Ambassador <\/em><\/p>\n
\nsafe online. You can limit what others see and whether to allow others to
\ncommunicate with you or not. Also, keep your personal information safe and
\nprivate \u2014 do not share it with others. Your personal information is valuable to
\nfraudsters and scammers.\u201d \u2014 oO HyPeR C Oo, Xbox Ambassador<\/em><\/p>\n![\"Safer](\"https:\/\/www.sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/mark-safer-internet-day-with-these-top-5-gaming-tips-from-xbox-ambassadors-2.jpg\")
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\nfun, but phishing leads to problems. While some people may enjoy fishing,
\nphishing is where an unwelcome person tries to gain access to your account by
\npretending to be a person in a position of authority (e.g. pretending to be a
\nMicrosoft employee). Remember, Microsoft will never ask for your password. To
\nhelp prevent phishing, consider adding two-factor authentication<\/a> (2FA) to your account to prevent
\nmalicious activity.\u201d \u2014 ONI Assassin, Xbox
\nAmbassador<\/em><\/p>\n![\"Safer](\"https:\/\/www.sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/mark-safer-internet-day-with-these-top-5-gaming-tips-from-xbox-ambassadors-3.jpg\")
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\ntalking to strangers while playing together, you don\u2019t have to. Many games now
\nhave in game features to allow you to communicate with team members without
\nhaving to \u2018voice chat,\u2019 for example.\u201d \u2014 MissDeusGeek,
\nXbox Ambassador <\/em><\/p>\n
\nand better internet where everyone is empowered to use technology responsibly,
\nrespectfully, critically, and creatively. Not only is it a reminder to continue
\nto make safe, welcoming, inclusive gaming a priority, but it\u2019s also a call to
\naction for everyone to practice safe online habits in every experience.<\/p>\n
\nyou to share your online safety tips with your community. Whether that\u2019s a
\ntweet, or simply a conversation with a friend, inform someone about how they
\ncan help make gaming safe for all.<\/p>\n