Children are being exposed to previously unthinkable dangers in an era where digital technology is widespread one of which is the risk posed by child predators through online gaming. Children’s health and safety are seriously threatened by internet games, even if they can be enjoyable and educational.
Digital technology has advanced quickly in the last several years. Children of right now are growing up in a world where cellphones, the internet, and other electronics are becoming indispensable components of daily existence.
Online gaming has also become as one of the principal entertainment options for kids worldwide. A broad range of online games is overtaking the digital industry, including social games to adventure games.
Problems that Worry about Online Games
While the entertainment value of internet games, children’s safety and confidentiality are seriously threatened. Online gaming platforms are a tool employed by child predators to track down their targets. They pose as other gamers or even as fictional characters in order to get close and take profit from unsuspecting kids.
Child predators use a range of manipulative strategies to draw in kids and build relationships based on trust. To trick kids into disclosing their personal information, they may use bait like in-game  rewards or made-up promises. Along with that, child predators frequently use the grooming technique, in which they progressively build an connection with the kids in an effort to win their trust before taking benefit of them sexually (Yuniasri, 2024).
Interactions with predators on the internet have the potential to seriously affect children’s psychological well-being in addition to their physical safety. Stress, worry, and sadness are typical reactions in children who fall prey to internet predators. They can also show behavioral changes like social disinterest, withdrawal, and a drop in their academic performance.
Online child predators are an important problem that needs to be handled with more caution. Sexual predators can easily target and manipulate their victims in the internet world because of advances in technology and easier access to online networks.
Since 2019, there has been a rise in the number of cases of sexual abuse of kids online, according to statistics from the Simfoni PPA, the Online Information System for the Protection of Women and Children. This demonstrates the need for more successful initiatives to shield kids from the dangers created by predators in online gaming (Rizkinaswara, 2019).
Solution
Therefore, it is important control the application of online games in a balanced way that considers a variety of factors, such as:
1. Productivity and Education:
Enjoying video games online shouldn’t get in the way of regular activities like work, school, or other productive pursuits. Online games should ideally be used as a kind of pleasure or as a way to meet people after all the main responsibilities have been finished.
2. Mental and Physical Health:
Playing online games should not conflict with someone’s physical or mental well-being. This entails avoiding addiction and stopping frequently when playing. Additionally, playing games shouldn’t conflict with good sleep habits.
3. Content the Suitability:
It’s critical to select online games with content that corresponds to your age and ideals. Parents or guardians must supervise their children and teenagers to make sure they stay safe from inappropriate content. (Wiwie Heriyani, 2024)
4. Positive Social Interaction:
Playing games online can provide a forum for social interaction. In an ideal world, these interactions between people create a welcoming and positive community where individuals respect and promote each other.
5. Internet Protection:
Choosing online security is important. Users need to be advised of the dangers related to a scam, data misuse, and other illegal activities.
6. Balance with Other Activities:
It’s important to find a balance between participating in real-world activities like sports, the arts, and direct contact with loved ones and friends.
Conclusion
The participation of parents and caregivers plays an important role in addressing the threat posed by child predators via online gaming. When their kids are playing online games, they need to be actively involved in monitoring over and assisting them.
This includes setting boundaries for children’s playing, monitoring their online activities, and educating them about online predator risks and digital safety. Children need to be correctly and actively educated by parents and teachers on how to play online games safely and how to stay safe from criminals.
In online games, parents should keep an eye on how their kids participate with other players as well. Parents need to make sure their kids don’t interact with strangers or people they don’t trust.
In addition to the parental obligation, the government and industry have an obligation of protecting children from the virtual predator danger.
While the online gaming industry can step up efforts to detect and eliminate predator accounts, improve safety features in their games, and produce more effective strategies in anticipating and handling instances of criminals child in online games, the government can impose strict policies related to child protection in the digital world.
Besides from that, reducing the danger of child predators via online games needs raising awareness and promoting education. Children need to be kept fully aware of the dangers of interacting with strangers online and the importance of reporting responsible adults to any suspicious activity.
One of the main problems facing today’s digital culture is the increase in predators of children via online gaming. Parents, the government, business, and humanity at general have to come together to raise awareness, educate the public, and put in place effective measures in the age of technology in order to protect children from these risks. By taking steps like this, we may make the internet a far more secure and interesting place for kids in the future.
Author: Sinta Ramandani
Arabic Language Education Student, Muhammadiyah University Prof. Dr. Hamka
Editor: Salwa Alifah Yusrina
Bahasa: Rahmat Al Kafi
References
Rizkinaswara, L. (2019). #sisternet: Kenali Batasan Usia Penggunaan Internet pada Anak – Ditjen Aptika. Pemberdayaan Informatika Kemkominfo. https://aptika.kominfo.go.id/2019/03/sisternet-kenali-batasan-usia-penggunaan-internet-pada-anak/
Wiwie Heriyani, D. A. (2024). Begini Cara Menghindari Child Grooming di Video Game Online. https://tekno.sindonews.com/read/1370599/765/begini-cara-menghindari-child-grooming-di-video-game-online-1714737956
Yuniasri, P. (2024). Game Online dan KBGO pada Anak: Jadi Tempat Grooming Predator Seksual. https://digitalmama.id/2024/05/game-online-dan-kbgo-pada-anak-jadi-tempat-grooming-predator-seksual/
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