Privacy, Devices & Citizenship · lesson 17 of 17 · 15 min
Online games and chat safety
Online games are fun and can connect you with players from around the world. But they also come with unique safety challenges. Many games include chat features where you can talk to other players — and not everyone online is who they say they are.
Someone in a game might seem friendly, helpful, or like a great teammate. But they could be a stranger trying to get your personal information, convince you to meet in real life, or manipulate you in other ways. The same rules that keep you safe in other online spaces apply in games too.
The key rule: keep your real identity private in games. Your gaming username is your game identity — it should never reveal your real name, age, school, or location.
Online gaming safety rules: Never share your real name, school, address, or phone number in a game. Use a gaming username that does not reveal personal information. Tell a trusted adult if anyone in a game makes you uncomfortable or asks to meet in person.
Gaming safety — what to do and what to avoid
✅ Safe gaming habits
- Use a username that reveals nothing personal
- Use privacy settings to limit who can contact you
- Only play with people you know in real life when possible
- Report players who are rude or ask for personal info
- Tell a trusted adult if something feels wrong
❌ Avoid these
- Sharing your real name, age, school, or address
- Accepting gifts or offers from strangers in games
- Agreeing to meet a gaming friend in person
- Sharing your account login with other players
- Ignoring uncomfortable requests — always tell an adult
In-game purchases and scams
Many games offer in-game purchases — virtual items, skins, or currency. Scammers sometimes offer free in-game items in exchange for your account login, personal information, or real money sent outside the game. These are always scams.
Legitimate games never ask for your password through chat. If someone offers you free items in exchange for your login details, they are trying to steal your account. Tell a trusted adult immediately.
Key words to remember
- Gaming username
- In-game chat
- In-game purchase
- Account theft
- Privacy settings
Match each gaming safety concept to its description
Online gaming safety — quiz
A player in an online game asks for your home address to send you a gift. What should you do?
- Give them your address — a gift sounds nice
- Give them a fake address
- Refuse, block them, and tell a trusted adult
- Ask them to send the gift to your school instead
Answer: Refuse, block them, and tell a trusted adult
No one in an online game should ever need your home address. This is a red flag — refuse and tell a trusted adult.
People in online games are always who they say they are.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Anyone can pretend to be someone else online. Never assume a gaming friend is who they claim to be.
What is a safe username for an online game?
- JohnSmith_Age10_Springfield
- CoolGamer42
- John_Springfield_Elementary
- JohnS_555-1234
Answer: CoolGamer42
A safe username does not reveal your real name, age, location, or any personal information.
A stranger in a game offers you free in-game items if you give them your password. What should you do?
- Give them your password — free items are worth it
- Give them a fake password
- Refuse and tell a trusted adult — this is an account theft attempt
- Ask them to send the items first
Answer: Refuse and tell a trusted adult — this is an account theft attempt
Legitimate games never ask for your password through chat. This is a scam to steal your account.
Privacy settings in games can help control who can contact you.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Privacy settings limit who can message you or see your profile — use them to stay safer in games.
A gaming friend you have never met in person asks to meet up in real life. What should you do?
- Agree — they seem friendly
- Tell a trusted adult immediately
- Ask them to meet at your school
- Share your address so they can visit
Answer: Tell a trusted adult immediately
Never agree to meet a gaming friend in person without telling a trusted adult. This is a serious safety concern.
What should you do if another player is being rude or asking for personal information?
- Respond rudely back
- Ignore it and keep playing
- Report them and tell a trusted adult
- Share their messages with friends
Answer: Report them and tell a trusted adult
Report players who are rude or ask for personal information, and tell a trusted adult what happened.
Accepting gifts from strangers in games is always safe.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Strangers offering gifts in games may want something in return — personal information, your account, or real money.
What should you do before making an in-game purchase?
- Buy it immediately if you want it
- Ask a trusted adult first
- Ask a gaming friend if it is worth it
- Look for free alternatives from strangers
Answer: Ask a trusted adult first
In-game purchases use real money. Always ask a trusted adult before spending anything.
Which of these is the safest way to play online games?
- Share your real name so people know who you are
- Use privacy settings and a username that reveals nothing personal
- Accept all friend requests to meet new people
- Share your account with friends so they can help you level up
Answer: Use privacy settings and a username that reveals nothing personal
Privacy settings and an anonymous username are the foundation of safe online gaming.
Try it: Game chat: safe or not?
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