--- title: "Online safety for young gamers: a 10-minute setup for parents" url: https://ascendesport.ae/online-safety-for-young-gamers/ description: "Parental controls, chat settings, scams and what to do if something goes wrong. A practical checklist you can do tonight." last_modified: 2026-11-09T17:07:03+04:00 site: "Ascend Esports" summary_for_agents: https://ascendesport.ae/llms.txt ---[Parents' Guide](https://ascendesport.ae/category/parents-guide/)# Online safety for young gamers: a 10-minute setup for parentsParental controls, chat settings, scams and what to do if something goes wrong. A practical checklist you can do tonight.![](https://ascendesport.ae/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/hammer.png) **Ascend Esports team** 24 March 2026 · 2 min readShare [WhatsApp](https://wa.me/?text=Online%20safety%20for%20young%20gamers%3A%20a%2010-minute%20setup%20for%20parents%20https%3A%2F%2Fascendesport.ae%2Fonline-safety-for-young-gamers%2F) [X](https://x.com/intent/post?text=Online%20safety%20for%20young%20gamers%3A%20a%2010-minute%20setup%20for%20parents&url=https%3A%2F%2Fascendesport.ae%2Fonline-safety-for-young-gamers%2F) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fascendesport.ae%2Fonline-safety-for-young-gamers%2F) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fascendesport.ae%2Fonline-safety-for-young-gamers%2F)![A boy using a tablet at a table](https://ascendesport.ae/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/online-safety-for-young-gamers.jpg)A boy using a tablet at a tableMost of the risks in online gaming come from chat, spending and scams, and most of them can be reduced in one evening of settings.## The 10-minute setup1. **Console and PC family settings.** PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo and PC platforms all have family settings to limit games by age rating, set play time and control spending. 2. **Chat.** Limit voice and text chat to **friends only**, or turn it off for younger children. 3. **Spending.** Require approval for purchases, or use gift cards with a fixed amount. 4. **Two-factor authentication** on game and email accounts. 5. **Privacy.** Use a gamer tag that doesn't include their real name, age or school.## Talk about the big three- **Strangers.** People online aren't always who they say they are. Nobody genuine asks for photos, addresses or to move to a private app. - **Scams.** "Free V-Bucks", free skins and "account checkers" are scams. Only buy in the official store. - **Speaking up.** If anything feels wrong, they should tell a trusted adult straight away, and they won't be in trouble for it.## If something goes wrong- Don't delete messages; take screenshots - Block and report the account in the game or platform - Change passwords if an account was compromised - If a child is threatened or in danger, contact the police ( **999** in the UAE)At Ascend, sessions are supervised, our community channels are moderated, and online safety is supported by our partner KIDAS. Everyone follows our [Code of Conduct](https://ascendesport.ae/code-of-conduct/).## Sources- [PEGI parental controls guides](https://pegi.info/parental-controls)![](https://ascendesport.ae/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/hammer.png)Written by the Ascend Esports teamCoaches, game builders and wellness specialists at Ascend Esports, the esports division of Ascend Innovations in Mirdif, Dubai. Questions about this article? [Ask Ascenzo](https://ascendesport.ae/online-safety-for-young-gamers/#chat).Share [WhatsApp](https://wa.me/?text=Online%20safety%20for%20young%20gamers%3A%20a%2010-minute%20setup%20for%20parents%20https%3A%2F%2Fascendesport.ae%2Fonline-safety-for-young-gamers%2F) [X](https://x.com/intent/post?text=Online%20safety%20for%20young%20gamers%3A%20a%2010-minute%20setup%20for%20parents&url=https%3A%2F%2Fascendesport.ae%2Fonline-safety-for-young-gamers%2F) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fascendesport.ae%2Fonline-safety-for-young-gamers%2F) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fascendesport.ae%2Fonline-safety-for-young-gamers%2F)## Keep reading[All insights](https://ascendesport.ae/insights/)[Parents' Guide](https://ascendesport.ae/category/parents-guide/)### [GTA VI launches on 19 November: what parents should know before the hype hits school](https://ascendesport.ae/gta-6-launch-parents-guide/)The biggest game launch in years is days away. 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