Understanding online gaming features
Online features are a big part of how people play and enjoy games.
These features can include playing or chatting with other people inside the game, using communication apps while gaming such as Discord, or watching gaming live streams on platforms like Twitch. Many players also connect with the wider gaming community on platforms such as YouTube or Reddit.
This page will help you understand how to manage online features and help your child build the skills to stay safe while gaming online.
On this page:
How to tell if a game is online
Look for the online or interactive features such as:
- communication with other players (text or voice chat features)
- inability to pause the game (for example, in some multiplayer games when you play in real time with others)
- sharing or receiving content from others (for example, gifts)
- pop-up advertisements
- in-game purchases
- downloading games or accessing additional content.
Most games can be played both offline and online, but how you use and manage online features will often depend on the game, app or platform. For example, some games let you turn off chat, but others might not.
When is the right time to go online?
There is no one right age to go online. Generally, it is recommended that younger children play offline or only play online games with their family.
For older children and teenagers, it can be helpful to think about a few key things. Click or tap on the + icons to learn more.
Make decisions for one game at a time
Each game, app or platform will be different. Some will be safer than others and your child may be ready for certain features, or only in certain games.
Look at the recommended age of the app, game or platform
Classification ratings can be helpful particularly for apps and platforms, although they may not consider all online safety risks. Use comprehensive game reviews, in combination with age ratings, to help you better understand the appropriate age.
Find out how or why they want to be online
What is the main purpose? Do they want to play with friends, chat or watch others? This will help you understand the features they want on and those you can restrict. Ask questions like:
- Is the game online-only, or can it be played offline too? If it’s online-only, your child may still see and interact with other players’ characters in the game world, even if chat if turned off. They might also come across inappropriate advertising or behaviour.
- Do they want to communicate (text or voice) with friends or other people? Read our advice about communicating safely with others.
- Do they want to be able to make purchases? Find out more about risks of making purchases.
- Do they want to be able to share and look at content? This might be on a different app or platform. Find out more about interacting with others online.
Encourage safe online habits
Once you understand the risks of different online features your child wants to use, think about how they can develop good habits that will help keep them safe. For example, they should know when to get help and what should be reported.
Read our page ‘Are they old enough?’ for more information about readiness and safe online habits.
Put safeguards in place and review often
If you are going to let them be online, think about what you can do to make it safer. Regular conversations, monitoring their activity and skill-building should happen at all ages.
Take a gradual approach and remember no decision has to be final – you can adjust settings, revisit agreed rules, and make different choices for different games as your child grows. For younger children, check-ins should be more frequent, and decisions about safety revisited often.
Reading comprehensive reviews, observing the game and watching gameplay footage online can help you to guide your choices together.
Starting the conversation about gaming online
Find out why it’s important
You can say things like: ‘I am glad you asked me first. Why do you want to play this game online?’ This can help you find the safest way to support them. For example, if it’s because their friends are playing it, you might want to focus on who they’ll be interacting with and whether the game has tools to limit contact with people they don’t know.
Talk about the risks and how to stay safe together
You can say things like:
- ‘I know this matters to you. Let’s make sure it’s safe by agreeing you’ll only make purchases with my approval or only communicate with friends we know and trust.’
- ‘I think the safest way we can make this happen is to make sure you…
- ‘only make purchases with my approval.’
- ‘only communicate with friends.’
- ‘Before I decide, let’s have a look at the game together.’
You can also take a look at the video, ‘Supporting your preschooler with online games’, co-created by eSafety, Alannah and Madeleine Foundation, the Australian Federal Police and Raising Children Network for more advice.
Make sure they know when and how to get help
You can say things like:
- ‘I know playing online can be fun, but let’s talk about what to do if things go wrong.’
- ‘I want you to know you can always come to me if things go wrong. We’ll find a way to work through things together. Nothing is too scary or embarrassing to share with me.’
It’s not just about saying the right things – how you respond matters too. Staying calm and supportive helps your child believe they can come to you the next time something goes wrong.
Agreeing on the rules for gaming online
It helps to write down the rules together. eSafety has a resource called a family tech agreement, which is a set of rules about how devices, like smartphones, tablets, computers, TVs and gaming consoles are used in your home.
Here are some things you might want to include about gaming:
What online features are OK and for which games
Talk about what online features are acceptable to use. This discussion is especially helpful when your child starts a new game. This may vary from game to game.
- Recommended: Start new games with age-appropriate safety settings and gradually adjust them as needed.
What are the safety expectations
Decide on which conditions your child can use a game or feature safely. For example:
- Do you need to be present and able to supervise?
- Should communication be limited to only friends?
- Should private messages be disabled?
- Recommended: Use parental controls to help support these expectations. When it comes to communication, it’s recommended parents limit features that are difficult to supervise (such as private messaging).
What you expect from them
Think about the behaviours and responsibilities you expect when your child uses online features. This might include treating others respectfully while gaming or coming to you for help when needed. Also think about the skills they should demonstrate before gaining access to certain features.
Building your child’s safety skills for online gaming
Regardless of the online feature, children should always feel safe coming to you for support. Before going online, you can help your child build online safety skills:
- Use safety tools to manage unsafe or negative situations. Make sure you child is aware of the tech tools available and knows how to use them if needed. Teach them how to report, mute or block someone, and how to leave or turn off chats.
- Know how to get support. Name at least five trusted adults they can go to for help when they need it.
- Know when to talk to a trusted adult. Children will often go to their friends for help first. Talk together about situations where you want them to come to you first instead. This might include if they see or hear things that make them feel distressed, or they are feeling unsafe talking with someone.
- Reach out safely. Let them know that no situation is too embarrassing or scary to ask for help. Reassure them you won't judge them for making mistakes and that keeping them safe is your priority. Let them know that there are free services available – such as Kids Helpline or Headspace – where they can talk to someone anytime. Even if they don’t need it now, knowing these options exist can make a big difference later.
- Encourage them to support others and seek help when needed. Whether it’s standing up to bullying or checking in on a friend, these actions help create a safe and positive gaming environment for everyone.
How to get help if something goes wrong
Gaming platforms have a responsibility to ensure every player’s safety. If your child is experiencing online harm while they play, there are steps you can take to deal with the situation.
Find out how you can help your child if something goes wrong online, including how to make a report to the platform or to eSafety.
Last updated: 08/12/2025
