Gaming
From blasting through hordes of aliens to speeding through tight streets in a supercar. Playing games online either by yourself or with friends can be really fun. We’ve got advice for you to help you keep safe and make sure the time you spend gaming is fun.
Am I Gaming Too Much
Yes gaming is really fun and many games are designed to keep you hooked and playing for as long as possible. Smashing through a game to collect every trophy and award can make you feel like you want to keep playing that little bit longer. Its easy to get really into a game and before you know it you’ve been up all night and you haven’t even noticed.
5 Signs Gaming is Affecting Your Life
It’s getting in the way of you doing things like your home work
Your sleep is being affected
You are struggling to stop playing or thinking about games
It’s stopping you from doing other things like getting out with friends and family
You feel anxious or unable to cope when your not playing games
Safe Playing
Playing games online such as Call of Duty, HALO or Roblox is really fun but they do open the door to different risks and there are lots of dodgy people lurking online ready to take advantage of you.
Try our Top Tips to help make sure your not taken advantage of whilst gaming
Be careful what you share
Talking to people online is great and you may feel like the people you talk to online are your friends but it’s really important to think about the information you share about yourself. Think before you share. Do you really know this person?
Things like your address, number, email, school or other personal details even your full name should be avoided from being shared. It’s amazing what a savvy hacker can do with even just a small amount of information from you.
Make Strong Passwords and Usernames
Always ensure your passwords are unique and never include your name etc and for usernames never use your full name, school, date of birth, address or phone number.
Who are you playing with?
Anyone with a pc, console or phone can play games online which means you may be playing with older or younger people.
Be sure to report bullying or abusive or threatening people
Just assume people may not always be who they say they are and that often people online are not telling the truth about themselves
Don’t accept gifts or exchange anything
Don’t be fooled into sharing anything personal about yourself, in particular sending nudes. That’s a one way ticket to abuse and bad times.
Keep on top of your privacy
Make sure you have the right privacy settings to help you keep on top of the people you are exposed to.
Take Breaks and Prioritise your Sleep
Cramming another hour on a game is tempting but you will end up tired and hungry and it will impact other parts of your life
Sleep is your superpower. Without sleep your brain and body can’t function properly. You can quickly go from getting enough sleep to being sleep deprived in just one night. You’ll perform much better and feel better the next day giving yourself a good nights sleep of 8 - 9 hours. Be sure to visit our sleep section for more advice.
Gambling and Video Games
Gambling isn’t just something that takes place in Casinos and betting shops, gambling is everywhere
Gambling in video games can be a problem because it can encourage people, especially young players, to spend a lot of money on virtual items or chances to win something. This is often called "loot boxes" or "gacha mechanics." Here's why it's concerning:
Unpredictable Costs: In many cases, players don't know exactly what they'll get when they spend money on these virtual items. It's like buying a surprise toy, but sometimes they might get something they don't want, which can be frustrating.
Addictive Nature: Just like in traditional gambling, the excitement of opening these boxes and the chance of getting something really good can become addictive. Players might keep spending money in the hopes of getting that rare item they want.
Impact on Children and Teens: Many video games with these features are played by young people who might not fully understand the value of money or the risks involved. They might use their own money or even their parents' money without realising the consequences.
Financial Strain: Spending a lot of money on these virtual items can add up quickly. Some players might end up spending more money than they intended or can afford, leading to financial problems for themselves or their families.
Focus on Winning, Not Enjoyment: Games should be about having fun, improving skills, and enjoying time with friends. When the focus shifts to spending money to win items, it can take away from the true enjoyment of playing.
Normalising Gambling: Some experts worry that these mechanics in video games can make gambling seem like a normal and fun activity, which might lead to gambling problems later in life.
Because of these reasons, many people and even governments are concerned about gambling-like mechanics in video games, especially when they are accessible to young players. It's important to make sure that games are designed in a way that promotes fun, fairness, and well-being for all players.
Protecting Yourself from Video Game Gambling
Protecting oneself from video game gambling involves being aware of potential risks and making informed choices. Here are some steps individuals can take to safeguard themselves:
Check Game Ratings: Before playing a video game, check its rating and reviews. Look for any mentions of "loot boxes" or "in-game purchases." Games with these features might have gambling-like elements.
Set Spending Limits: If a game allows purchases, set a clear spending limit for yourself. This can help prevent overspending and keep your budget in check.
Disable In-App Purchases: Many devices and platforms offer settings that allow you to disable in-app purchases. This can prevent accidental or impulsive spending.
Educate Yourself: Learn about how loot boxes and gacha mechanics work. Understanding that the odds of getting specific items might be very low can discourage excessive spending.
Take Breaks: If you find yourself getting too caught up in the excitement of opening loot boxes, take breaks from the game. This can help you regain perspective and control over your spending.
Use Parental Controls: If you're a parent, make use of parental control features to restrict or monitor in-game purchases for your children.
Discuss with Friends/Family: Talk to friends or family members about the game and its features. They might offer insights or suggestions for managing spending.
Focus on Gameplay: Remember that the primary purpose of a game is to have fun and enjoy the gameplay. Shift your focus away from purchasing virtual items and toward the actual game experience.
Know When to Stop: If you find that you're spending more money than you're comfortable with, or if the game is causing stress or negative emotions, consider taking a break from it or even uninstalling it.
Report Concerns: If you believe a game's mechanics are manipulative or harmful, you can report your concerns to the game's developer or the platform it's available on. Your feedback can contribute to changes in game design.
Remember that video games should enhance your leisure time, not create financial stress or negative emotions. By staying informed and making conscious decisions, you can enjoy gaming while protecting yourself from potential gambling-related risks.
Recognising when your gambling is getting out of control
Below is a series of questions to ask yourself if you are thinking of gambling:
Do you often find yourself thinking about gambling activities and/or planning the next time you will play?
Do you need to spend more and more money on gambling activities to get the same level of excitement? • Do you become restless, tense, fed up, or bad tempered when trying to cut down or stop gambling?
Do you ever gamble to escape or forget problems?
After losing money on gambling activities, do you ever return another day to try and win your money back?
Have you lied to your family and friends about your gambling?
Have you spent your lunch or transport money on gambling activities?
Have you taken money from someone you live with, without their knowledge, in order to gamble?
Have you stolen money from outside the family or shoplifted in order to gamble?
Have you experienced problems with members of your family or close friends because of your gambling?
Have you missed school or work in order to participate in gambling activities?
Have you ever had to ask for help because of your gambling?
If you find you gambling is becoming a problem for you or you are concerned about a friend or family member don’t wait get some advice.
Bullying and Trolling Online
Trolls aren’t just those creatures living under bridges in fantasy stories. A Troll online is someone who says or does something nasty to you to just get some kind of reaction. Anyone can be a victim of trolling.
Online Trolls will do things like:
Targeting you constantly in the game encouraging others to ‘gang up’ on you
Say cruel or nasty things to and about you
Attempt to hack or take control of your accounts
Stalk you on social media
Damage, steal or break your online creations
Try not to respond to Trolls. They thrive on being fed and every time you interact, respond and react is feeding them. Just ignore or block them.
If you are struggling with something that is happening online then you should talk to a trusted adult or speak to a professional. Look below for a list of services available to help you.
Further Support
Beacon Counselling Trust
Beacon Counselling Trust provide a free and confidential service to support young people affected by problem gambling or those affected with the wider family unit.
Email – gamcare@beaconcounsellingtrust.co.uk
Call us on 0151 226 0696
The Big Deal
BigDeal is a place for young people to find information and support related to gambling, either for themselves or for someone they care about.
Health Services in Schools Youth Workers
HSIS Youth Workers support young people in Wirral Secondary Schools, Wirral Sixth Form College and Wirral Met College.
Each school/college has a designated HSIS Youth Worker that provides young people with an opportunity to access confidential support on any issues which may be affecting them.
We provide support to young people on a wide range of issues and topics such as: building resilience, reducing risks, healthy relationships, sexual Health (including issuing condoms in some schools) drugs, alcohol, emotional health, Stress and Anxiety.
To find your youth worker visit their page.
KOOTH (Online counselling)
Free, safe and anonymous online support for young people
Monday – Friday 12pm – 10pm
Saturday – Sunday 6pm – 10pm
SHOUT
Shout is an affiliate of Crisis Text Line® in the UK that provides free, confidential support, 24/7 via text. It’s the first free 24/7 texting service in the UK for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. Shout is available in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
Text SHOUT to 85258 in the UK to text with a trained Crisis Volunteer
or
Text BLUE to 85258 to get resources and sign posting information.
Every texter is connected with a real-life human being trained to bring people from a hot moment to a cool calm place through active listening and collaborative problem-solving. All of our Crisis Volunteers donate their time to helping people in crisis.