What helps most in practice includes:​

• Regular, interested conversations about what children enjoy playing, who they play with, and what they notice online​

• Adults showing curiosity, including watching or playing alongside children, so games are not treated as a secret​

• A clear understanding of personal information, including why chats should stay about the game and when to tell an adult​

• Agreed rules around spending, with children knowing when real money is involved and when permission is needed​

• Reassurance that worries should be shared, including exposure to upsetting content, mean behaviour or hate-based language​

• Confidence using block and report tools, so concerns can be addressed calmly and practically​

• Active use of safety settings, including age-appropriate controls, chat restrictions and parent account oversight​

Helpful lines of curiosity include:​

• What games are they accessing, and are they age-appropriate?​

• Is chat enabled, and who can message them?​

• Have they come across anything violent, hateful or worrying?​

• Are they using private servers or public spaces?​

• Are parental controls or age settings in place and actively used?​

• Does the parent feel confident managing the platform?​