Playing games online has become a central part of many children’s lives. As much fun as it can be, there are a few potential risks that kids should be aware of. But how can you teach kids about these risks in a fun and engaging way?
The story Digiduck and the Magic Castle can help. This story offers an entertaining journey that kids can follow while learning important lessons about online gaming.
Let’s learn more about DIgiduck and the Magic Castle and the lessons from the story.
What is Digiduck and the Magic Castle?
Digiduck and the Magic Castle is an illustrated storybook written by Lindsay Buck and published by Childnet. It is the fourth story in the Digiduck® series.
The Digiduck and the Magic Castle, and the other titles in the series, aim to help parents and teachers educate kids from 3-7 about online safety.
In the story, the lead character, Digiduck, wanted to play a new game popular with his friends called the Magic Castle.
He explores the magic castle with his friends, and they whizz through the levels after a lucky find makes it easier.
What they don’t know is that they and Digiduck’s parents are in for a surprise! The game charges real money to advance to the levels quicker.
The illustrated storybook can be downloaded from the Childnet website.
What Can Kids Learn from the Story?
The story focuses on the importance of passwords, password sharing, in-app purchases, and resisting peer pressure.
In-app purchases
In-app purchases allow players to purchase digital items such as clothing, tools, or extra lives that they can then use in the game to help them progress further and become more powerful.
In the story, “Digiduck and the Magic Castle”, Digiduck and his friends didn’t know the concept of in-app purchases and that they are spending real money in exchange for gold.
The key thing to remember about in-app purchases is that they can be very tempting, especially for children. The items offered are often very attractive and exciting and can be purchased with just a few taps and swipes on the screen.
Explain to your kids that in-app purchases are real money, just like the coins they have in their piggy banks. Explain that these purchases can add up quickly, and money spent on in-app purchases is money that cannot be used for other things.
Also, it is important to note that in-app purchases are non-refundable. Once you’ve purchased something, you cannot get it back.
Therefore, it is important to think carefully before making any in-app purchases, to make sure that you are getting the best value for your money.
Finally, it is important to talk to your kids about online safety when it comes to in-app purchases. Remind them that in-app purchases can be expensive, and encourage them to always ask for your permission before making any purchases.
This will help ensure that they are being safe and responsible when it comes to spending money on in-app purchases.
Passwords and password sharing
In the story, Digiduck’s friend was able to guess the password for in-app purchases easily. And they also told each other their passwords for their accounts.
It’s essential for children (and parents!) to understand the importance of keeping their passwords secure.
To set a secure password, the most important thing is to choose one that only you know and to make sure it’s not easy to guess.
It’s a good idea to mix upper and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols to create a unique and secure password. Also, it’s best to avoid using the same password on multiple websites or games.
Parents and children must also understand the risks of sharing their passwords with others. Sharing passwords can result in unauthorized access to data, and could even lead to identity theft.
Peer pressure
Peer pressure is another theme that was tackled in the story.
In the story, Digiduck was not sure what to do when he encountered an issue with the game and wanted to ask his father about it. But his friend insisted that he knows what to do and that what got them into trouble.
The story emphasizes the importance of seeking the help of parents in situations where kids are being pressured to do something they are unsure about.
Responsible Gaming for Kids
Playing games online can be a great way for children to expand their minds, relieve stress and have fun. However, it’s up to the parents to guide the kids and set limits to counter the potential negative effects of gaming. Here are what you can do as a parent.
Setting Gaming Time Limits
Playing video games can be a great way for kids to have fun and relax. However, it’s important to ensure they don’t spend too much time gaming.
As parents, it’s important to talk to your kids about the proper amount of time they should be playing games. Create rules and expectations to ensure they understand the importance of following these guidelines.
Selecting Suitable Games
When it comes to selecting online games for your children, it is important to consider the content they will interact with. Ensure that the games your children play whether on their mobile devices or on a gaming console are age-appropriate.
Parental Supervision of Online Gaming
Playing online games can be a great way for kids to stay engaged, have fun and learn new skills. However, it’s important for parents to keep a close eye on their children’s gaming activities to ensure their safety.
Parents should closely monitor their children’s gaming activity for inappropriate language, contact information exchange, and other malicious activities.
Parents should also be aware of in-game purchases and subscription fees, and consider the game’s overall age appropriateness.
Conclusion
As parents, it’s your responsibility to select suitable games for your kids to play, supervise their online gaming activities, and set gaming time limits to ensure that your children can enjoy playing games safely and responsibly.
It’s also a good idea to use resources to teach kids about gaming and online safety such as the Digiduck series. “Digiduck and the Magic Castle” is a great story for teaching kids about responsible gaming, in-app purchases, passwords and password sharing, and peer pressure.
With the right precautions, playing games online can be a beneficial experience for children.
