Safe Gaming Guide

How to look after your own wellbeing

• If you feel you are being harassed online you should mute, block and report the player immediately. This is also the case for your streaming platform chat box, Twitch have some great advice on how to manage the chat function of your stream here.
  
  
• It’s really important to remember to keep hydrated and take regular breaks while gaming, especially if you are planning to play for an extended period of time. You should also be mindful of your caffeine intake, avoiding coffee and energy drinks as much as possible.
• Be aware of in-game purchases. Many games like Fortnite and Call of Duty Warzone are free to download and play, however you will have the option to pay for items within the game. If you decide to pay for in game items, always check first with whoever is paying and keep a close eye on how much you are spending in real currency.

How to keep your personal information safe

• Be careful of who you are playing with and what you share with them. Gaming is a great way of meeting new people and making new friends, however you should be very careful about revealing personal information about yourself online. This especially applies to things like your passwords and your home address.
• Check your privacy settings and modify these accordingly. Most games and consoles will allow you to change your privacy settings which can affect who you can play with and who can contact you online.
• If you are streaming or gaming via your PC, make sure you have effective and updated anti-virus software installed. These days most operating systems will have built-in anti-virus software but do ensure this is updated and functioning correctly.

If you have any queries at all about staying safe while gaming or streaming, give us a call on 0207 840 3063 or you can get in touch via email on events@rethink.org.