Video games provide fun, social interaction, and learning opportunities, but they also expose players—especially kids—to harassment, bullying, and toxic behavior. Parents and guardians need to understand how to help their children recognize and report harassment while ensuring a safe and positive gaming experience.

What to Do if Your Child Faces Harassment in a Game

1. Recognize the Signs of Harassment

Harassment in games can take many forms, including:

• Insults or hate speech – Racial, gender-based, or ableist slurs.
• Threats – Intimidation or promises of real-world harm.
• Cyberbullying – Repeated mocking or exclusion.
• Cheating or exploiting – Intentionally ruining another player’s experience.

If your child seems upset after playing or Avoids certain games or online interactions, it may be a sign they’re experiencing harassment.

2. Teach Kids How to Respond

Encourage your child to:

• Ignore and mute – Most games allow blocking and muting toxic players.
• Stay calm and avoid engaging – Reacting can escalate the situation.
• Save evidence – Take screenshots or recordings if the harassment is severe.

3. Report the Harassment

Every game has its own reporting system. Here’s how to report in popular platforms:

• Minecraft (Xbox/PS/PC especially Bedrock) – Report a player in the game settings or through Microsoft’s safety guidelines.
• Fortnite & Roblox – Use in-game reporting tools or report through platform settings.
• Call of Duty, Overwatch, Rocket League – Report via in-game menus or developer websites.
• Discord & Voice Chat – Block and report users through server settings.

Parents can also report harassment in:

• Steam – Reports go through the game’s Steam page.
• PlayStation Network – Use the "Report Player" option in settings.
• Xbox Live – File a complaint through Xbox Safe Connections.

4. Adjust Privacy Settings

To minimize exposure to harassment:

• Turn off voice chat if necessary.
• Enable private accounts for younger kids.
• Disallow strangers messaging in game and platform settings.

5. Know When to Escalate

If harassment involves threats, personal information release, or illegal behavior:

• Contact the game developer (via customer support).
• Report to law enforcement (if real-world safety is at risk).
• Report to cyberbulling prevention sites (like StopBullying.gov).

Why Teaching Digital Citizenship Matters

Parents should discuss online behavior, just as they would offline conduct. Encourage kids to:

• Be kind and respectful to avoid being part of toxic behavior.
• Stand up for others if they witness harassment.
• Know when to take a break if gaming feels stressful.

Final Thoughts

By staying informed and proactive, parents can help their children navigate online gaming safely. Open communication is key—reassure your child that they can always talk to you about their online experiences.

Have you or your child faced harassment in a game? Share your experiences and tips in the comments to help others!

Stay safe, stay positive, and game responsibly! 🎮