Learn About Online Gaming
Online gaming is where many young people play, connect, relax and challenge themselves. It can be social, creative, competitive or collaborative, and for lots of tamariki in Aotearoa, it’s part of everyday life. You don’t have to be a gamer to support your child. Staying curious, asking questions and spending a little time beside them goes further than knowing the ins and outs of any game.
In a nutshell
Online gaming means playing games over the internet alone or with others.
Many online games include:
- options to voice or text chat
- teaming up or competing with others
- trading items or currencies
- creative building modes
- friends lists and profile systems
Popular titles for young people include Minecraft, Roblox, Fortnite, and hundreds more, each with its own culture, expectations, social dynamics and language. Some are gentle and creative, others fast-paced and competitive.
For a lot of rangatahi, gaming is more than entertainment, it’s identity, belonging, achievement and connection.
5-minute whānau safety check
- We know the games our child plays and who they play with
- We’ve checked chat, friend-request and privacy settings
- We’ve agreed on when and how gaming fits with sleep and school
- We’ve set up spending limits or turned off in-app purchases
- My child knows how to mute, block and report players
What to expect
As your child explores gaming, you may notice:
- Big emotions after wins or losses
- Talking constantly about characters, updates or teammates
- Wanting to buy skins, upgrades or battle passes
- Changing favourites quickly as new games trend
- Joining Discord servers or in-game groups
- Needing “just five more minutes”
These behaviours are common as gaming activates excitement, challenge and social connection.
If your child starts skipping meals or forgetting routines, hiding game time or getting angry when asked to stop, and losing interest in offline hobbies or friends these may be signals that it’s time for a gentle check-in.
What's the up-side?
Young people may feel a number of benefits from gaming online
Connection
Gaming helps young people stay in touch with friends, cousins and classmates, especially when face-to-face time is limited.
Creativity
Games like Minecraft, Roblox or Fortnite Creative let kids build worlds, design challenges and express themselves.
Challenge and achievement
Levels, missions and problem-solving build persistence and confidence.
Relaxation
For many, gaming is how they decompress after school; it's a safe, familiar activity that helps them reset.
Family time
Gaming together can be a surprisingly rich way for whānau to bond, especially across ages and abilities.
It gives me a break to laugh
Youth Participant
No Single Online Experience – Youth Roadshow Report 2025
What's the flip-side?
Gaming has upsides, but also risks to navigate together.
Unwanted contact
Some games have open chat systems where strangers can message other players freely. Younger tamariki or inexperienced young people need support setting boundaries and using safety tools.
Toxic behaviour
Trash talk, insults and heated moments are common in competitive games.
Muting, blocking and reporting help keep things manageable.
Spending and loot boxes
Randomised rewards can encourage repeat spending, and your child may not realise how quickly small purchases add up.
Privacy risks
Usernames, avatars and profile details may reveal more personal information than expected.
Balancing time
Exciting games can make it hard to stop, especially when matches run long or teammates rely on them.
Safety Check
Use the settings
- Turn on parental controls on consoles (PlayStation, Xbox, Switch)
- Use Apple Screen Time or Google Family Link to help manage screentime boundaries
- Set spending limits or use gift-card balances
- Check chat settings and disable public messaging where necessary
- Require approval for new friends or servers
- Review privacy settings every term
Top Tips
Click on each block to learn more about how you can support your whānau to find balance with screentime and screen use.
Ask about the games they love and why they matter to them.
- “What’s the best part of playing with your friends?”
- “What makes a match fun or frustrating?”
Curiosity builds trust and connection, increasing the chances that your child will come to you if something happens or feels off.
Gaming conversations don’t need to be “big talks.” Try checking in while cooking, driving, or sitting nearby.
- “How did your session go today?”
- “Any funny moments in your game?”
- "What's happening here - it looks intense"
Small, regular kōrero feel safer and more natural. Sit nearby while they're gaming so you can naturally ask about the game when an opportunity arises.
Play alongside them or let them be the expert and show you how things work.
Work together to explore chat settings, review friend lists or check out the parental tools together.
Doing it together helps them practise skills while feeling supported.
Work as a team to build healthy routines.
- Agree on gaming times that fit with sleep and homework
- Decide together on spending rules
- Review settings each term as they grow
Celebrate the good stuff, like kindness, teamwork, or stepping away when they’ve had enough. Confidence grows when whānau notice positive choices.
Need help right now?
If you would like any advice or support about keeping your whānau safe online Netsafe can help.
Contact the helpline for free, confidential and non-judgemental advice and support.
