Level Up Your Parenting in North Dakota: Keeping Kids Safe in the Gaming World

In a world where electronics evolve faster than the speed of your Wi-Fi, there’s one thing that never seems to go out of style: protecting your kids. Over the weekend, the Williston Police Department shared a timely reminder for parents in North Dakota, and everywhere, trying to keep up with their kids’ gaming habits—because while the consoles may change, good old-fashioned supervision doesn’t.

Let’s be honest: If you’ve ever tried to understand cross-play or watched your child hop from a tablet to a gaming console to a phone in a single minute, you know parenting in the digital age can feel like playing a game with cheat codes you don’t have. But fear not! There are some simple steps you can take to make sure your kids are gaming safely.

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Keep It in Sight: Supervise Where and How Your Kids Game

First, know what systems your child uses and how they work. Many modern gaming platforms have cross-play features, which means kids can play—and chat—with people across multiple devices. It’s like a giant virtual playground with an entrance on every corner. So, keep gaming consoles in easy-to-supervise spots like the living room. It���s harder to get into trouble when Mom’s folding laundry two feet away. Also, don���t forget to ask where else your child might be playing. A friend���s house or the local community center could be secret levels you didn’t know existed.

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Keep It Private: Teach Kids to Guard Their Info While Gaming

One golden rule: remind your kids never to share personal information while gaming. No real names, no addresses, no “Hey, want to meet up in real life?” conversations with strangers. An innocent-looking screen name can reveal more than you think, so help them pick one that doesn’t spill the beans.

Parent Like a Pro: Set Boundaries and Use Those Parental Controls

Setting limits might feel like a boss battle, but it’s worth it. Set clear rules about how long they can play, what games are allowed, and who they can play with. Most consoles and devices have parental controls—use them! Many even let you add a PIN so your mini hackers can’t change the settings behind your back.

Watch the Wallet: Stop Sneaky In-Game Spending Sprees

And while you’re at it, teach your kids to check with you before pulling out your credit or debit card online. Those tiny in-game purchases can add up faster than you can say “Where did my paycheck go?” Never save card details on their console or device.

Teach Kids How to Report Bad Behavior Online

Finally, show your kids how to report any suspicious behavior or bad players. Many games have moderators or reporting features built in—and if something really feels off, you can always file a report with CyberTipline.org.

Gaming should be fun, safe, and just a bit challenging—kind of like parenting itself. So level up, stay involved, and may your parental controls be as strong as your Wi-Fi signal!